Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic low back condition during or within one year after service. The Board also found the May 2014 VA examiner's opinion to be more probative than the Veteran's lay assertions regarding the etiology of his current disability.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for hallux rigidus of the right and left feet, as well as service connection for knee disabilities secondary to bilateral foot disability are denied. The Board has remanded the remaining issues related to knee, hip, back, and nerve damage.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for retropatellar pain syndrome, both knees; left foot tinea pedis; and low back pain were denied in the May 1997 rating decision. The May 2009 rating decisions granted increased ratings for bilateral tinea pedis and separate evaluations for right and left knee retropatellar pain syndrome.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, finding that it is causally related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the issues of service connection for hypertension, skin disorder (including jungle rot), cervical spine disability, right knee disability, lumbar spine disability, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, left hip disability, and right hip disability are remanded due to inadequate examinations and need further clarification.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to comply with previous remand directives, specifically regarding an opinion on whether any diagnosed back condition is related to service. The claim will be returned for further examination and evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine and a right knee condition, finding no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a detailed statement regarding his employment history.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, glaucoma in the left eye, and bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to SMC based on aid and attendance from January 23, 2018 due to his service-connected disabilities making his daily environment hazardous.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted service connection. The initial evaluation for his coronary artery disease prior to June 27, 2019 was denied, but he received a rating of 60 percent or higher from that date onwards.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip injury and lower back condition, including as secondary to his right hip injury. The VA examiners need to provide an addendum opinion addressing whether there is at least a 50% likelihood that these conditions are related to service or if they were aggravated by the right hip injury.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that it is related to the Veteran's active military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.,Service connection was not granted as there is no evidence of a chronic low back disability during or within one year after service. The Veteran’s current degenerative arthritis of the spine did not manifest within the presumptive period.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted a 30 percent rating, effective from the date of this decision. The left knee disability remains at a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to May 8, 2015 have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and initial disability ratings have been remanded.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for low back disorder and subluxation at L-4, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease. The current conditions are not presumed to have been incurred during service.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and broken teeth, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that could be linked to the current conditions.

The Veteran's disability ratings for his lumbar spine, cervical spine, and left knee disabilities were reduced. The reductions are now restored to their original levels.