Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the current condition is not causally related to service.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disorder due to the Veteran's contention that his current condition is related to an in-service injury, specifically driving on unpaved roads multiple times. The VA needs to schedule an examination to determine if there is at least a 50% probability that this condition is linked to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to new evidence indicating that his service-connected disabilities have worsened since the last VA examinations. The Veteran will be scheduled for a new examination to determine the current severity of his back, left knee, prostate cancer, and left eye disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine were denied. The claim for increased rating for PTSD due to MST was also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his lumbar and cervical spine disorders, as well as bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. Additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service or other factors.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to a lifting injury during active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral spine disability, finding that there was no evidence of a disease or injury in service and insufficient medical opinion to link his current condition to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lower back disability is related to service, and he is granted service connection for this condition.,The Board also found that the radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities is secondary to his now service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's back disability, which includes a fracture of T11-12 with kyphoscoliosis deformity, is rated at 40 percent for the period prior to April 26, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the eligibility criteria for special monthly compensation based on housebound status as he does not have a single, permanent service-connected disability rated at 100 percent and is not permanently housebound by reason of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations to address the nature and severity of his service-connected lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease, right shoulder strain, and right knee strain.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine was received within one year of his discharge, and thus he is awarded the earliest effective date possible - the day following his discharge on June 27, 2015. The Board denied an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's spinocerebellar ataxia is granted as service connected. Service connection for DDD of the lumbar spine, skin cancer, residuals of a right elbow fracture, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected left foot scar is denied.,Service connection for the Veteran's claimed left great toe injury and low back disability are both denied.,The effective date of the Veteran's service-connected left foot scar is denied as it cannot be determined that the increase in disability occurred within one year prior to the filing of his claim.,The Veteran's secondary service connection claim for a low back disability due to his left toe injury is also denied.

The Board denied service connection for thyroid disability, left wrist disability, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and back disability due to lack of evidence showing a current disability or link to service.,Service connection was not granted as there is no medical evidence of a chronic condition during service or within one year after separation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's asthma was granted service connection as it is presumed to have existed prior to service and not aggravated by service. Other claims for various conditions were denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on several conditions have been dismissed. The claims of entitlement to a higher rating for Reiter’s syndrome prior to September 21, 2015 and for TDIU prior to September 15, 2015 were withdrawn.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disorders has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected left ankle disability and his current low back disability. The Veteran will need a VA examination to determine if there is any connection.