Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar spine, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disorders due to secondary service-connected bilateral foot hallus valgus. A new VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service or secondary to the service-connected condition.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities are manifested by at least painful and limited motion. The Board has granted a rating of at least 10 percent for each knee disability, but the appeal is remanded due to the need for new VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral knee disabilities and other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted eligibility for specially adapted housing due to the severity of his service-connected disabilities affecting his lower extremities. However, as he is now eligible for this benefit, the claim for a special home adaptation grant is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records from Missouri Correctional facilities and VA treatment records prior to December 2011.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for back disability, joint pain, respiratory disability (asthma/lung condition), heart disability, and diabetes mellitus were denied in March 2008. The appeals for these issues have been granted.,An effective date of February 20, 2008 was granted for service connection for PTSD.

Service connection for hearing loss has been reconsidered and reopened.,Service connection for hypertension was denied.,Service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis is granted with an effective date of August 20, 2003.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted but the effective date is earlier than November 6, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine condition is granted as new and material evidence has been submitted. However, the claim is denied because the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that his current lumbar spine condition is related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and traumatic brain injury due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's low back disability is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a full review of his claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip, knee, and lumbosacral strain disabilities as secondary to a right ankle disability. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection due to lack of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as his service-connected disabilities make it impossible for him to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for a right hip disability and a low back disability, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service parachute jumps and hazing incidents. The evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether the disabilities are related to service.

The appeals for service connection have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability due to new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining complete STRs, VA treatment records, and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C has been reopened, and the claim is granted. The claims for service connection for tinnitus, migraine headaches, adjustment disorder with depressed mood, degenerative arthritis of the right knee, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy are all denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and entitlement to nonservice-connected pension, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that caused his current disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability but has remanded the issue of service connection for a left hip disability due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder and chronic gynecological and urinary disorder has been reopened, with the new evidence showing diagnoses of these conditions. The initial evaluation for TBI residuals is granted at 10%. The claim for migraine headaches associated with TBI remains pending.,Service connection for a back disorder and chronic gynecological and urinary disorder have been reopened based on new evidence. The Veteran's service-connected TBI residuals are currently rated at 10%.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck condition, low back condition, and right shoulder condition due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.