Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his back and nerve disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim. The Board also found that there was no nexus between the current lumbar spine disability and service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disorder, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to concerns about potential negligence in the Veteran's VA spine surgeries, specifically regarding screw placement and post-operative complications.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for back disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral neurological disability of the lower extremities, and left hip disability due to insufficient medical opinions and potential outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any low back disability, as it may be related to active service. The Veteran's current low back disability may be associated with his deployment in Iraq and rapid transport duties.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment as of May 20, 1993.

The Board has decided that compensation benefits under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a dental disorder due to treatment by the Department of Veterans Affairs is denied, and the case is remanded for further action regarding compensation benefits under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a back disability due to treatment by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The Veteran's lumbar strain condition with bulging discs is currently rated at 40 percent and denied for an increase.,The Veteran's right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis was initially rated at 20 percent from May 20, 2014 to May 5, 2019, and then increased to 30 percent effective May 6, 2019.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability, bilateral ankle disability, and right knee disability. The VA examinations and treatment records do not support a finding that any current disabilities are related to military service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's low back disorder, including an initial rating and TDIU. The case is also remanded for further development regarding SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since November 28, 2017.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of any diagnosed neurological abnormality, specifically meralgia paresthetica. The Veteran's service connection claims for back disorder, right leg disorder, and left leg disorder are also being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection as his lower lumbar pain was not shown to be related to military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and TDIU due to duty-to-assist errors and insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including back pain, bilateral eye condition, flatfoot, knee issues, and ankle conditions, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities related to active service.,Specifically, the Board determined that there was no diagnosed back condition, no causal relationship between the Veteran's claimed eye condition and his service, no diagnosed bilateral foot condition, no diagnosed left or right knee conditions, and no diagnosed right or left ankle conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral knee conditions, cervical spine condition, lumbar spine condition, muscle tension headaches, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient examination opinions and new evidence submitted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound. The Board found that the Veteran does not have an anatomical loss, blindness in both eyes with visual acuity of 5/200 or less, is not permanently bedridden due to a service-connected disability, nor is he so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical opinions regarding functional loss during flare-ups and the Veteran's ability to work prior to January 12, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's pre-existing scoliosis condition worsened during service, and for obtaining a VA medical opinion on this issue.