Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous examination of his right wrist disability. Service connection claims for tinnitus and right thumb injury are referred to the AOJ.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional records and proper notification.

The Board denied service connection for low back and bilateral knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back injury, scar on lower back, and mental disorder. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and examination, including obtaining updated treatment records and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's back disorder and neurological symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to care for himself or protect himself from the hazards of his environment, nor do they make him housebound. Therefore, he is not entitled to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on need for regular aid and attendance or on account of housebound status.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issues of reopening service connection claims for low back disorder, prostate disorder, PTSD, and TDIU.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and a VA examination to determine the nature and severity of the Veteran's disabilities.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of entitlement to service connection for left shoulder, right wrist, and back disabilities secondary to a service-connected left knee disability. The Veteran's history of falls due to his weak left knee extensor mechanism is considered in determining whether these conditions are related to his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's low back disability and PTSD were granted increased ratings, but no more than the current assigned percentages. The TDIU claim was denied.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: service connection for a lumbar spine disability and service connection for bilateral hearing loss. Additional evidence is needed, including private medical records and an audiological examination.

The Veteran's claims for right foot pes planus, left foot pes planus, and low back disability have been granted. The low back disability is linked to his service-connected left ankle sprain.

The claim of service connection for a low back disability is denied, and the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal is not fully resolved and requires additional development, including obtaining verification of in-service stressors and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorders.

The Board has denied service connection for asbestosis, low back disability, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and mood disorder. The issues of service connection for these conditions are being remanded due to insufficient examination reports.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations for right shoulder strain and osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine was denied. The Veteran received a rating of 40 percent for right shoulder strain (dominant) from January 6, 2012 onwards, but her claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 20 percent for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine remains pending.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected right above the knee amputation, including reopening claims for various conditions and obtaining medical records from correctional facilities. The Veteran is also required to undergo a VA examination to assess his current disability status.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder has rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since June 1, 2008. Effective June 1, 2008, the Veteran also had additional disabilities totaling over 60 percent disabling, qualifying for SMC at the housebound rate.

The appellant has raised claims of entitlement to service connection for a back disorder, a disease related to exposure at Camp Lejeune, and hearing loss. The claim for eligibility for internment in a VA national cemetery is remanded until these service-connection claims are resolved.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the lower back disability and left ankle condition, leading to their dismissal.