Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, and headaches have been reopened.,The claims for service connection for myopia/astigmatism, bilateral knee disability, back disability, onychomycosis/dermatophytosis, neck disability, and scars on both sides of the nose were not reopened.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion and need for further development, including a supplemental medical advisory opinion from an orthopedist.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of March 15, 2016 for the award of a separate 10 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with his service-connected L5-S1 degenerative disc/joint disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed headache disorder and back disorder are not related to his active duty service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board found no evidence of a link between the Veteran's low back disability and his military service, including within one year post-service. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee and lumbar spine disabilities cause his clothing to wear more quickly, warranting an annual clothing allowance.

From January 24, 2006 to September 1, 2008, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities were sufficiently incapacitating as to prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disorder, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease, was incurred during his period of active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA examination. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability is also being considered.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and tension headaches are not related to his military service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a need for clarification of the medical opinion and consideration of the correct legal standard regarding aggravation by service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current back disability is not related to his military service, and thus does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a need for clarification on whether the Veteran's current low back disability is aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, including bilateral shoulder impingement disorder.

The Veteran's chronic lumbar strain was granted a 40 percent evaluation effective June 12, 2017. TDIU benefits were also granted from that date.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were granted, with the effective date being determined by the Court's remand. The Veteran was assigned a rating of 30 percent for right upper radiculopathy from August 24, 2017 onwards.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a lumbar spine herniation at L5-S1, with bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly address the issue.

The Board has denied the Veteran's service connection claims for a low back disability, bilateral knee disability, peripheral nervous system disorder, immune system disorders, metabolic digestive disorder (claimed as GERD), diabetes mellitus type II, skin cancer, and birth defects and stillborn baby. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete examination and treatment records, as well as unclear opinions regarding service connection and increased rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to missing SSA records and a need for a VA examination regarding the Veteran's low back disability. The TDIU claim is also pending as there are recent changes in his PTSD rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lower back and left knee disabilities are etiologically related to his service, including injuries sustained during military vehicle accidents in 1967 and 1968. The vision disability is currently under consideration.