Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating greater than 40 percent for his lumbar condition is denied.,It is not factually ascertainable that the Veteran’s lumbar condition increased in severity to warrant a 40 percent disability rating prior to August 9, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher evaluation of his thoracolumbar spine disability is being remanded due to an inadequate VA examination. A new examination must be conducted and the results will determine if the Veteran should receive a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of right wrist and bilateral knee disorders have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for her left ring finger disability has been remanded.,The Veteran's claims for service connection of a right thumb disorder, right index finger disorder, low back disorder, and right great toe and foot disorder have been remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of dermatitis has been remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of a headache disorder secondary to her service-connected allergic rhinitis has been remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder conditions, bilateral hip conditions, and a back condition. The appeal is remanded for further development regarding his neck and back conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for clothing allowances for a brace used for his service-connected back disability and topical medication used for his service-connected eczema in 2018, as there was no evidence that these items caused significant damage to his clothes.

The Veteran's clothing allowance for bilateral crutches used in 2018 is granted due to the wear and tear caused by his service-connected disabilities, specifically peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for his back disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his in-service injury.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection of a low back disorder is granted. The claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss is denied, and the claims for service connection of other conditions are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back disorder, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hepatitis C, sleep apnea, left leg disorder, right leg disorder, PTSD, and depressive disorder. The criteria for a higher rating were not met in any of these cases.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient explanation for denying service connection for a right leg disability, including right leg lengthening.,Additional development is needed to determine if the leg length discrepancy constitutes a recognized disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing pes planus was aggravated by service and granted service connection for this condition. The remaining issues of service connection for bilateral ankle disability, back disability, and sleep apnea are remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back and right knee disabilities, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

Your claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including depression and anxiety, has been remanded. The Board found that the current opinion regarding the etiology of your psychiatric condition is insufficient.,The issues of service connection for neck and back disabilities have also been remanded as there are incomplete opinions regarding whether these conditions are secondary to other service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided that there is insufficient evidence to determine the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremity. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, but granted service connection for depression and tinnitus.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 60 percent since July 25, 2008.,The Veteran's left leg radiculopathy is rated at 40 percent since November 13, 2014. A TDIU was granted effective from July 25, 2008.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and a right foot condition due to insufficient rationale in the VA examination reports. The VA is required to provide addendum opinions addressing whether there is a link between the Veteran’s current conditions and his military service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left upper extremity disabilities, as well as a lumbar spine disability. The Board found that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service.,The Board also denied the claim for secondary service connection for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that the Veteran did not have service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The claim for service connection for a back disorder has been reopened, but the claim remains denied.,Service connection was not granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of evidence showing a link between these conditions and military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and lumbar spine disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of a direct relationship to service or secondary to his right knee disability.