Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back strain with degenerative changes, but denied service connection for his right knee condition. The low back condition is related to service, while there is no evidence linking the right knee condition to service.

The Veteran's right-shoulder disorder is rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5201.,Service connection for low-back disorder was denied as there is no evidence that it was incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease. The issues of rating left and right hip conditions, and TDIU are remanded.

The claim of service connection for gout is reopened, but the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis and there is no evidence linking it to service.,Service connection for a lower back condition is denied as there is no current disability and no evidence linking it to service.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus is denied due to lack of continuity of symptoms since service and absence of medical evidence linking the condition to service.,Service connection for hemorrhoids is denied as there is no current diagnosis and no evidence linking it to service.,Service connection for knot on groin (claimed as lymph node condition and possible hernia) is denied as there is no current disability and no evidence linking it to service.,Service connection for chronic laryngitis is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to conflicting evidence and need for further examination. The spine disability claim is related to in-service events, while the left leg and ankle disabilities are linked to a casting incident during service.

The Veteran's use of his back brace for his service-connected lumbar spine disability is causing wear and tear on his clothing, warranting a clothing allowance for the year 2015.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the inclusion of relevant medical evidence in the record, and because the intertwined issues regarding lower extremity radiculopathy and TDIU need to be addressed before final decisions can be made.

The Board has granted service connection for a lower back condition as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right ankle strain with avulsion fracture, finding that it is proximately due to or the result of this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to January 8, 2017 is denied as she was found to be substantially gainfully employed during this period.,The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for myofascial lumbar syndrome post right sacroiliac fusion and iliac autograft (excluding periods which a temporary total rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.30 was in effect) is remanded as additional evidence has been received.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle, back, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), asthma, cholecystitis, and Parkinson’s disease have all been denied.,No new or material evidence was received to reopen any of the previously denied claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for a low back disability and his claim for TDIU due to inadequate examinations in the past. A new VA examination is required, as well as readjudication of both claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including a right shoulder disability and TBI residuals, were denied. The claim for service connection for the right shoulder was reopened due to new evidence, but the claim is still denied as there is no credible evidence of an in-service injury or current condition related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to outstanding records that need to be obtained and reviewed, including VA medical records, SSA decisions, and workers' compensation records. The Veteran will undergo a VA examination for her low back disorder.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are denied as the evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions began during or were caused by his military service.

The claims for service connection and effective date earlier than March 27, 2013 for hypothyroidism are denied. The petition to reopen the claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder is denied. The petition to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent prior to March 30, 2018 and remanded for further evaluation.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (RLE) and left lower extremity (LLE) are both currently rated at 10 percent and remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's low back condition is related to her service-connected right foot disability and remands for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee, back, neck and right ankle disabilities are being remanded for further examination to assess their severity.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied service connection for low back, neck, right ankle, right eye, and acquired psychiatric disabilities as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that the Appellant's need for aid and attendance began on September 11, 2009, due to her severe physical and mental disabilities caused by a Staph infection. As of this date, she required regular assistance from another person.