Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran is granted annual VA clothing allowances for the year 2014 due to use of a cane, wheelchair, crutches, and short leg braces. The clothing allowance is based on his service-connected disabilities related to a shell fragment wound.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's depression is granted as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The cervical spine disability is denied due to lack of in-service diagnosis or event, and the thoracolumbar spine disability is remanded for further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, chronic low back condition, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, and sleep apnea is granted. The claim for secondary service connection for headaches is also granted.

The Board has remanded all issues on appeal due to the need for further development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining updated medical records.

The Board denied reopening the claim for a bilateral ankle disability due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for service connection for DJD of the lumbar spine is remanded.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective from April 30, 2008. The Veteran's service-connected low back disability and radiculopathy have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment since that date.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's back disorder, including as secondary to his service-connected left ankle disability, should be remanded for further development and examination.

The Veteran's back condition and hypertension are granted as service connected.

The Veteran's cervical spine laminectomy with DDD resulted in a rating of 30 percent effective April 12, 2018.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted as service connected, with the benefit of doubt resolved in his favor.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is denied. The Board also remanded the issue of entitlement to SMC based on need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for post-operative lumbar spine disorder, bilateral foot disorder, left knee condition, and right knee condition. The decision is based on a lack of current evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals regarding the left foot, right foot, and back disabilities before a decision was made.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbar disc diseases are each rated at 20 percent, effective June 5, 2012. The radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities is also rated at 20 percent, effective June 5, 2012.,PTSD with depression is rated at 50 percent, effective throughout the duration of the appeal.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of lumbar spine disability due to new and material evidence. However, the issue remains remanded as a new VA examination is required to determine the nature and etiology of any lumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is related to his service and service connection for this condition has been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is attributable to service, with doubt resolved in his favor.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, finding that her symptoms were not chronic in service and did not manifest within one year of separation. The Board also found that her current lumbar spine disorder is not related to or caused by service or her service-connected cervical spine disability.