Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for residuals of heat exhaustion is denied, and his initial rating for thoracolumbar spine arthritis with IVDS is granted at a 20 percent level from September 9, 2010 to December 14, 2016.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any low back disabilities, as there are insufficient competent medical evidence on file for VA to make a decision.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability and right ear hearing loss, finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of low back disability, right ear injury to include perforated eardrum, and facial scarring (left upper lip and cheek). The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, requiring a new one with full review of the record and supported by stated rationale.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's service connection claims for a back disability, skin disorder, bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, and right leg disability due to new evidence indicating his discharge from August 1970 to March 1972 was upgraded to 'general - under honorable conditions'.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims to reopen service connection for various conditions, including low back disability, joint pains, muscle pains, left knee disability, foot disability, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and a respiratory disability. The appeals are remanded for further development on these issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder has been reopened due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The case is now remanded for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the nature and etiology of his lumbar spine disorders.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, type II, a right shoulder disorder, a chronic kidney disorder, and a back disorder. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left foot and low back disorders pre-existed service and were not aggravated by service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder, left knee, and low back disabilities. Service connection was denied for right upper extremity numbness and acquired psychiatric disorder (depression).

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for a low back disability. The claims for service connection for cervical degenerative disc disease and sleep apnea are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded three issues: rating for a back disability, service connection for a neck condition related to the back disability, and service connection for a right big toe condition. The Veteran is required to undergo further examinations to determine the current severity of his back disability, the nature and etiology of any diagnosed neck condition, and the nature and etiology of any currently diagnosed right big toe condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for thoracic degenerative disc disease with old wedge compression fractures and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. Additional records are needed from Camp Pendleton, and verification of combat participation is required.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development to ensure that all his available service personnel records are associated with the claims file and for VA medical opinions addressing the etiology of his cervical spine disorder and low back/lumbar spine disorders.

The Veteran's claim for various equipment purchases and home modifications under the independent living plan through VA’s VR&E program is remanded due to incomplete documentation, lack of a Vocational Rehabilitation evaluation, and unavailability of certain records. The AOJ must ensure all relevant documents are obtained and associate them with the claims file.

The Veteran's mechanical low back pain, lumbar spine with degenerative changes, is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The Board has found that the evidence does not support a higher rating.,Other claims have been remanded for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and the Board has found that a higher rating is not warranted. The back disability and bilateral hip disabilities are remanded for further examination to determine their current severity.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability is restored to a 40% rating, and the claim for increased ratings are remanded. The compensable evaluation for erectile dysfunction is denied, and TDIU prior to April 4, 2018 is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his thoracic strain/sprain (back condition) from July 23, 2012. The case is being remanded to obtain a more contemporaneous VA examination during the winter months when the Veteran reports his symptoms are worse.