Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his lumbar spine herniated disc is remanded due to the need for a VA examination that complies with the applicable law, including Correia v. McDonald and Sharp v. Shulkin.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection, increased rating, and TDIU due to incomplete evaluations and need for further medical opinions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, type II, heart disability (claimed as CAD with myocardial infarction), hepatitis C, lumbar spine disability, left foot injury, hypertension, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were not found to have onset during service or be related to service.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, was not found to have onset during service and is not otherwise related to his active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of left, right hip disabilities and lumbar spine disability as secondary to his service-connected knee disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were caused or aggravated by his service-connected knees.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and initial ratings for his right-knee, left-knee, and low-back conditions have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for an initial compensable rating for his right-knee condition, a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his low-back condition, and service connection for his right-hip and left-hip conditions have also been dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability and remanded the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and major depression) and rating in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder impingement syndrome, post-operative.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar degenerative disc disease and right sciatic radulopathy are being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new examination.

The Board has denied service connection for a back disability, type 2 diabetes (diabetes), and hypertension. The case is being remanded to obtain an opinion regarding the Veteran's hypertension due to in-service herbicide agent exposure.,Service connection was not granted for any of the conditions as there was no evidence linking them to service or presumptive exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral upper extremity neuropathy was denied, and his lumbar spine disability was granted a 20% rating effective March 15, 2014. Ratings in excess of 20% were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, which has been granted for special monthly compensation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service treatment records and a failure to contact the Veteran regarding her periods of Reserve service. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings have been dismissed as he has requested to withdraw his appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an opinion on functional limitation during flare-ups and after repeated use over time for the period from March 22, 2011 to July 24, 2014. The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability, PTSD, and radiculopathy of the lower extremities due to insufficient evidence in previous examinations.

The appeal for service connection for teeth degeneration is dismissed. The application to reopen the claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss are granted, but the claim for service connection for lumbar spine disorder, bilateral hip disorder, bilateral shoulder disorder, heart disorder, and eye disorder remains pending.

The Veteran is unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability from June 27, 2016.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise, and thus service connection for a back disability is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and inextricably intertwined issues. The Veteran is seeking service connection for left knee, low back, and right hip conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations and provide medical opinions regarding his claimed disabilities.

The Board has denied all five issues on appeal, finding no evidence of an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hand condition, low back condition, arthritis, or a bilateral lower extremity neurological condition that began during service or is otherwise related to service.