Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues except service connection for sinusitis, which was dismissed. The remaining appeals were also dismissed as the Veteran expressed satisfaction with his current combined disability rating.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and evaluation due to incomplete medical opinions regarding the etiology of low back disability and psychiatric disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left foot disorder, right knee disorder, and lower back disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back condition, specifically whether it is related to his INACDUTRA injury in January 1998.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating issues have been withdrawn. The Board has determined that the Veteran wishes to withdraw her appeal regarding scoliosis and whether the disability rating assigned for GERD was clearly and unmistakably erroneous. The remaining issues, including those related to eczema, cervical strain/cervical radiculopathy, migraines, lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, right foot plantar fasciitis/residuals of bunionectomy, and other conditions, are being remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical and thoracolumbar spine disorders, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to active duty service.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, and no final decision was made on any issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine disorder, left shoulder disorder, and right shoulder disorder due to insufficient rationale in the VA examination report.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his combined disability rating did not meet the schedular criteria and that he was capable of performing light physical or sedentary work.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disability (claimed as lower back pain) due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability was denied in July 2013, but no new and material evidence has been received since then.,The Veteran's nuclear sclerotic cataracts are not related to his diabetes mellitus, type II.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is denied as it was received after one year from discharge.,Diabetic nephropathy was first diagnosed on January 2, 2013, and its effective date is denied as it was not received within a year of diagnosis.,Left upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy were all granted on July 26, 2011.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction was granted as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II, effective July 26, 2011.,SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ is denied prior to July 26, 2011.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, does not meet the criteria for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inconsistencies in the July 2018 VA examination report regarding the Veteran's pain and functional loss with repetitive motion. The Veteran needs a new examination to determine the current severity of her service-connected back disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for cyclical vomiting and back disability due to outstanding VA medical records and further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened, but the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, back disability, and hypertension are still pending as they were previously denied. The Board has ordered additional development to obtain medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's neurological residuals of a right cranial nerve injury had its onset in service and is granted. The left knee, right knee, back, chronic sciatic nerve pain condition, cataracts, chronic sinusitis, hypertension (high blood pressure), and psychiatric condition (PTSD) are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and secondary service connection for right foot drop as related to the lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's current diagnoses are supported by medical evidence, and there is no dispute regarding the nexus between his lumbar spine disability and right foot drop.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, lower back pain, and bilateral leg numbness.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remands and needs further examination to determine if any low back disability is related to service or caused by other conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and a need for a new VA examination. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is being reviewed again.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran required aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, specifically diabetes mellitus. The appellant's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance as an accrued benefit is being remanded.