Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee arthritis and cervical spine disorder, finding no nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a ventral hernia is denied as there is no evidence of such condition in service and the current disability is not related to service.,Service connection for an upper respiratory infection is denied as there is no evidence of such condition during the pendency of this claim.,Service connection for right hand dermatitis is denied as there is no evidence of such condition during the pendency of this claim.,Service connection for TMJ (Temporomandibular articulation) is denied as there is no evidence of such condition during the pendency of this claim.,Service connection for sleep apnea is denied as there is no evidence of such condition during the pendency of this claim.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology in service, and,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral foot disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology in service.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased rating and TDIU prior to June 2, 2017 due to insufficient evidence regarding functional loss during flare-ups or on repeated use over time.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back condition and bladder cancer due to Agent Orange exposure are remanded as additional evidence is needed to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability as secondary to his service-connected right ankle sprain.

The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted initial ratings of 40 percent since December 29, 2013. The TDIU has also been granted.,TDIU from August 28, 2016 to November 20, 2017 was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine if his knee and spine disorders, hearing loss, respiratory disorder, and hemorrhoids are related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not play a role in his death and there was no other disability found to be service-connected at the time of his death.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for lumbosacral spondylosis is being remanded due to non-compliance with previous Board directives regarding the examination and medical records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, right shoulder arthritis, left shoulder arthritis, right elbow disability, and right hand disability. The cases are remanded for further development.,The evidence does not support a finding that any of these disabilities began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen claims for service connection for right ankle and low back disabilities. The remaining issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and increased rating for a left foot disability are remanded.

The Board has ordered further action on the claim of entitlement to an increased rating for a low back disability due to incomplete and inaccurate information in the January 2019 VA examination. The Veteran is required to provide additional medical evidence.

The February 1969 rating decision denying service connection for a low back disability and back pain was not found to be clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his lumbar spine disability was denied. The RO granted service connection and assigned a 20% rating, but the Veteran is still not receiving the higher ratings he requested.

The Board has remanded the claims for a back disorder, right knee disorder, and left calf disorder due to incomplete service records. The Veteran's service dates need to be verified, and VA examinations are required to determine if any of these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been presented. The low back disorder claim is reopened, but further examination is needed to determine if a low back disorder is related to service.

The Board has found insufficient evidence to adjudicate the Veteran's claims for neck, low back, and left knee disabilities. The Veteran must be afforded examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased disability ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for low back disability, bilateral foot disabilities, diabetes mellitus, Type II, and bilateral wrist disabilities. However, the claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II is remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding its onset.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for lumbar spine disability and residuals of a head injury due to insufficient medical evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran will need VA examinations to determine if his current disabilities are related to his in-service injuries.