Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's back condition was aggravated by his active duty service, and he is granted service connection for this condition.,His left knee condition manifested within one year of separation from service and is directly related to his active duty service, leading to the grant of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is required for the Veteran's claims, including new examinations and records review.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development and medical inquiry into the claim of service connection for a back disorder.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and the cause of death (sepsis due to bowel perforation) was not a result of VA medical treatment. The Board found that there was no evidence of negligence or fault on the part of VA in providing care.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a cervical spine disability, including as secondary to his service-connected back disability, has been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board is requesting additional examination and development to determine the nature and etiology of any cervical spine disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and has determined that it is at least as likely as not related to service. The Veteran's current condition is considered equivalent to a previously denied claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sciatica of the bilateral lower extremities, and for increased ratings for PTSD, traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine; residuals right knee injury; right inguinal hernia; fracture of the left index finger; and tinea versicolor.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ulnar neuropathy is granted. The Board finds that the current disability is related to his military service, and resolves any reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for his low back disability is being remanded due to a CUE claim raised at the Board hearing.

The Board has determined that additional evidence was added to the record after certification of the issues on appeal to the Board. Therefore, a remand is required to consider this new evidence and provide updated evaluations for the Veteran's low back disability and left ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, left foot disorder, and lumbar spine disorder were not incurred in or related to his military service. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a low back disorder and granted it as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected fracture of the right 5th metatarsal. The evidence shows that the current low back disorder is related to his in-service injury, but not directly due to military service.

The Veteran withdrew all remaining issues on appeal, including service connection for high blood pressure, bilateral hip disorder, and neck/cervical spine disorder. The Board dismissed the appeal due to the withdrawal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine injury, neck injury, and chronic arthritis of all joints due to incomplete medical opinions and lack of examination.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a 20% rating from August 30, 2012 to September 4, 2019.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and medical opinions to address whether the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability, right foot injury residuals, and degenerative joint disease of the right hip are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability has been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional development is needed before the merits of his claim can be addressed.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. Service connection is granted for hypertension and erectile dysfunction as secondary to service-connected low back disability. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for spondylolisthesis, radiculopathy, sciatica, nonservice-connected pension, and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's infertility is granted service connection. The right great toe onychomycosis, left thigh condition, and left hip degenerative arthritis are denied as not related to service. Service connection for upper dorsal scoliosis, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and IVDS, and left leg neuropathy is granted.