Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, including arthritis of the spine, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to her in-service complaints and continuous symptoms since service.

The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities has been established, resulting in the grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance/housebound.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues of service connection for neck disability, clavicle disability, hypertension, low back disability, left hip disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability are remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new examination is required.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine was aggravated by a car accident during active service, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of his left upper extremity radiculopathy, which is secondary to degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the cervical spine with spinal stenosis, has been granted. The effective date is July 23, 2015.

The Veteran's low back disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder are granted. The claims for increased ratings for the right knee, left knee repair, and limitation of flexion secondary to degenerative joint disease in the left knee are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and left ankle disability, finding that the Veteran's lumbar strain pre-existed his entry into service and was not aggravated by service. The claims were also denied as secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current disability of PFB that had its onset during service and is related to his military service. Service connection for low back disability is remanded as there are insufficient medical records to determine if any diagnosed condition is related to service.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine disability and hypertension, finding no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within the presumptive period, and rejecting the Veteran's assertions of continuity of symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, fatigue, bowel incontinence, bladder incontinence, headaches, acquired psychiatric disability (including depression and anxiety), and sleep disorder are related to her treatment at VA facilities. The claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a right thigh condition. The low back, left leg, bilateral hearing loss, and acquired psychiatric conditions (to include PTSD) are all denied as they have not been established by the evidence of record.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine, left shoulder, and left knee disabilities. Service connection was denied for a cervical spine disability due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and varicose veins of the bilateral lower extremities has been granted.,Service connection for Peyronie’s disease and service-connected pterygium is pending, as these claims have been remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for TDIU, PTSD rating increase, and lumbar spine disability were dismissed. The Board found no evidence of aggravation of the pre-existing asthma during service or any other respiratory disease that began during service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding records not being obtained. The Veteran is asked to authorize release of his treatment records from Wright-Patterson AFB and Castle AFB, and VA will attempt to obtain these records.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and evaluations are necessary to properly assess the Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and other issues. The case is being remanded due to the need for clarification regarding the nature of his hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as the current severity of his coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have made it impossible for him to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective November 15, 2013.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 10% from July 1, 2017 to January 16, 2018 and then increased to 20% effective January 17, 2018. The radiculopathy in the right lower extremity (RLE) was reduced from 20% to 10% effective January 17, 2018. Both ratings are maintained.

The Board denied service connection for right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy affecting the femoral and sciatic nerves, as well as erectile dysfunction, all claimed to be due to a non-service-connected lumbar spine disorder. The decision found no evidence of chronic symptoms during service or continuous post-service symptoms that would warrant presumptive service connection.