Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's clothing allowance for bilateral knee braces is granted, as the evidence shows he used these braces due to service-connected disabilities that caused wear and tear on his outergarments.

The Veteran's initial increased ratings for lumbar spondylosis and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been denied.,The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and an inaccurate factual predicate for a medical nexus opinion. The Veteran's low back disability is being reviewed again with new evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral ankle disorders, bilateral knee disability, and low back disability due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that the evidence did not support the Veteran's claims of in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and unclear diagnoses. The issues of service connection are inextricably intertwined with the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for an earlier effective date for right lower extremity sciatica and has remanded the issues of rating in excess of 10 percent for cervical and thoracic spine disabilities.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus and back disability were not incurred in or caused by military service, but has remanded both issues for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left ankle traumatic arthritis. The right tibia and fibula fracture residuals claim is remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to new evidence submitted and need further examination and opinion regarding his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for a cervical spine disorder, as it is unclear whether his current conditions are related to his military service or if they are secondary to his already service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability, sleep apnea, and tinnitus. The Board found no current diagnoses or evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck condition, including degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, was granted. The claims for radiculopathy of the right and left upper extremities were remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine disorder, bilateral eye disorder, neck disorder, and left shoulder disorder. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a lung condition, back disability, and neck disability due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding service connection and initial ratings for various conditions, including dyshidrosis, hypothyroidism, shoulder disabilities, thoracolumbar spine disability, and cervical spine disability. The appellant requested to withdraw his appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for lumbar strain, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and bilateral hearing loss as they have not been evaluated in over five years and the Veteran testified that his conditions have worsened. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to assess the current severity of these disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination findings regarding pain on motion and weight-bearing conditions.

From September 25, 2007, to June 4, 2018, the Veteran's lumbar strain was rated at 20 percent.,Since June 5, 2018, the Veteran has been rated at 40 percent for his lumbar strain.