Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a supplemental opinion on the low back disability. A right inguinal hernia rating will also be determined.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis are found to be related to a period of INACDUTRA during service, resulting in service connection.,Major depressive disorder is found to be related to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis, leading to service connection for this condition.,Left leg numbness (sciatica) is found to be related to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis, resulting in service connection.

The Board has received a withdrawal request from the appellant for all issues on appeal, including whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen service connection claims for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, eye condition (diminished eyesight), arthritis of the bilateral hips, and an increased evaluation of callosities formation and post-operative degenerative osteoarthritis of the left foot.

The Veteran withdrew all issues on appeal before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to ensure a complete record and proper consideration of his claims.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA examinations and attempting to obtain private treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his back disability. The case will be returned to the Board after any additional development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including an addendum opinion addressing his contentions regarding low quarters and tight spaces as well as deep water exposure. The case will be remanded to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to any period of active service, including ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was granted as it is etiologically linked to noise exposure during a period of ACDUTRA.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left foot ingrown toenail disability was not incurred in or is otherwise related to active service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, and denied increased ratings for his left hip degenerative joint disease, residuals of left medial meniscectomy with degenerative joint disease prior to November 11, 2015, and left total knee arthroplasty from January 1, 2017.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability and neck disability are found to be related to his military service. The Veteran's claims for sickle cell anemia and diabetes were withdrawn prior to the decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to a hearing request not being followed up. The Veteran's claims for service connection for various arthritis conditions in multiple joints are on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining relevant Social Security Administration records and any outstanding VA medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left elbow strain was dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal. The Board found that the Veteran has PTSD linked to an in-service personal assault and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for SMC and SMP was denied as he does not meet the legal threshold required to receive these benefits due to lack of service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for VA examinations and additional development of records.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding whether a timely substantive appeal was received to a February 2012 rating decision denying service connection for urticarial rash (claimed as illness due to vaccine). The remaining issues of reopening claims and establishing service connection have been remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine disability was not incurred in service and did not demonstrate onset during the first year after service. The Board also determined that it is less likely than not that his cervical spine disability is caused or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by her representative, and all pending claims before the Board have been dismissed.