Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability is attributable to service, resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine condition began during his active service and granted service connection for this disability.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee and lumbar spine disabilities cause wear and tear on his clothing, warranting a clothing allowance for the years 2017 and 2018.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination and lack of a rationale for the examiner's opinion. The Veteran’s back disability is being reviewed again with new evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for low back, right hip, and hypertension disabilities due to their secondary nature to service-connected knee disabilities. The Veteran needs to undergo VA examinations to determine if his current conditions are caused or aggravated by his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to adequately attend to his daily living needs without regular aid and attendance, thus granting special monthly compensation based on this need.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of anal fissures, DDD of the thoracolumbar spine, right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and right lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy was dismissed. The VA granted a 40% rating for DDD of the thoracolumbar spine effective June 12, 2015.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a lumbar spine disorder due to the need for additional medical opinions and records, including those from his service period.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The initial rating for DJD, DDD, and mild scoliosis of the thoracic and lumbar spine was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were also denied. Service connection for a cervical spine disorder, cardiovascular disorder (specifically congenital bicuspid aortic valve with insufficiency heart murmur), hypertension, IBS, umbilical hernia, and prostatitis was granted.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions, including low back disability, bilateral foot disability, left leg disability (with rod emplacement), tinnitus, and diabetes mellitus. The appeals were all denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and associated left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve is granted with an effective date of August 28, 2017.,Service connection for bilateral shin splints is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion.,Service connection for bilateral foot disorder, to include plantar fasciitis and bunions, is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back pain, hyperlipidemia, and prostate disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disorder, neck disorder, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, obstructive sleep apnea, COPD, and nasal condition.

The Veteran's back disability is granted service connection, while the liver disability issue remains pending and remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's death was caused by VA's negligent care following surgery in January 2004, resulting in a pulmonary embolus and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Service connection for the left foot disorder, back disorder, left knee disorder, left hip disorder, and asbestos exposure is denied as there is no evidence of service incurrence or aggravation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck and back disabilities, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for a cervical spine disability was not reopened, but his right knee limitation of extension is now granted. The remaining issues related to the Veteran's patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee, right shoulder surgical repair residuals with tendinitis, DDD of the lumbar spine, and right upper extremity scar are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spondylosis but remanded the issue of service connection for a left shoulder condition.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and other disabilities have rendered her unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, leading the Board to grant TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus of the right and left feet due to aggravation. Service connection is remanded for low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities.