Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are granted for the lumbar spine, left elbow, and right knee disabilities. The cervical spine disability claim remains denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's claimed conditions are related to her military service. The case will be returned for further action.

The Board has decided that service connection for tinnitus is granted, but the case of degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is sent back to VA for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's bilateral hip disability and other service-connected conditions have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since December 4, 2008. His TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various back, foot, and spine conditions due to incomplete records and the need for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for a low back disability and PTSD, finding that the evidence does not establish a nexus to service or any other service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for lumbar strain has been denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection of sleep apnea, left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, and left hip condition have been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted.,Service connection is now established for right knee post-traumatic arthritis, status post meniscus removal; back disability (secondary to a right knee condition); and chronic dyspepsia with history of bleeding peptic ulcers.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis with IVDS due to lack of information on functional impairment during flare-ups or overuse, as well as the need for additional VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee, lumbar spine, and right lower extremity disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for annual VA clothing allowances due to service-connected conditions, as none of his disabilities are service-connected. The cases have been remanded for further development and examination.

The Veteran's spine disability is rated at 20 percent, and his radiculopathy of the right lower extremity and right foot scarring are both rated at their maximum allowable ratings. The claims for increased ratings have been denied.

The Veteran's skin condition (psoriasis) and cervical neck disability are both granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities are remanded due to unclear evidence of current disabilities, and his diabetes mellitus, type II, may be related to service under presumptive provisions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is remanded as there was no consideration of a one-year presumptive period.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and low back disability are remanded due to unclear evidence of current disabilities.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded as there was no consideration of a one-year presumptive period.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, effective August 16, 2017. The rating remains unchanged as the evidence does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if service connection can be established for lower back disability, hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for a back disability due to missing records and need for an addendum opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for entitlement to service connection for right elbow, right shoulder, upper back, and lower back disabilities due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted. The claim for an increased rating for his degenerative disc disease, thoracolumbar spine prior to July 5, 2017, and from July 5, 2017 onwards, was denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for an increased rating for a low back disability on an extraschedular basis and TDIU, to include on an extraschedular basis. The case is being referred to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration.