Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous remand directives and insufficient development of evidence regarding service connection for back and neck disorders. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the loss or loss of use of a hand or foot, permanent vision impairment of both eyes, severe burn injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ankylosis of a knee or hip. Therefore, he is not eligible for financial assistance for an automobile and adaptive equipment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating of right knee disability due to inextricably intertwined issues. The Veteran's current lumbar spine diagnoses are also being reviewed as part of this process.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal.,The Veteran’s claims for higher ratings related to lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and Bell's Palsy were not addressed as they are not on appeal.

The Veteran's appeals regarding left foot disorders and tinea pedis were dismissed. The Board granted service connection for a low back disorder, but remanded the issues of service connection for left ankle and right wrist disorders.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine with dextroscoliosis, hypothyroidism, and migraines. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

Service connection has been granted for depression, headaches, and obstructive sleep apnea. An effective date prior to December 22, 2014 for service connection of right ear hearing loss and tinnitus is denied.,A 10% evaluation for mechanical lower back pain was granted with an effective date of February 6, 2014. Claims for earlier effective dates were dismissed.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his low back disability, radiculopathy of the lower left extremity, and radiculopathy of the lower right extremity have been dismissed as he withdrew these claims prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that additional medical examinations and opinions are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection of cervical spine disorder and thoracolumbar spine disorder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for clothing allowances for clotrimazole and hydrophilic creams due to lack of connection with a service-connected skin disability. The case is remanded for further consideration regarding the bilateral knee braces.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to errors in obtaining medical records and inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's psychiatric disorder is being evaluated again, a new examination of his back disability and neurological disabilities is needed, and the TDIU on a schedular basis only is also being remanded.

The Veteran's application to reopen claims for service connection for tinnitus, a lumbar spine disability, and right knee disabilities were granted. The claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability was denied.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted service connection, while left ear hearing loss and hypertension are denied. The initial ratings for upper extremity peripheral neuropathy and radiculopathy are also granted.

The Veteran's left shoulder condition, head injury, and degenerative changes of the lumbar spine are not service-connected.,Service connection for major depressive disorder is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, neck disorder, and back disorder due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran was granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine effective April 1, 2009.,TDIU based on major depressive disorder and other service-connected disabilities was also granted effective April 1, 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for financial assistance for an automobile and adaptive equipment, or adaptive equipment only.

The Board has denied service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disorders, finding that the evidence does not support a nexus to military service.

The claims for joint pain, lumbar spine disability, and skin condition (dermatitis and tinea versicolor) are denied. The claim for service connection for skin condition is further denied as the Veteran's current dermatitis is not related to his Gulf War service.

The Veteran's current spine symptoms are more likely due to a non-service connected injury (gunshot wound) and not his service-connected lumbosacral sprain, thus denying a compensable rating for the condition.