Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition, finding that there is no evidence to support a relationship between his current disability and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for low back and neck disabilities, finding that the current conditions are related to an in-service fall.

The Board has remanded the case for several reasons, including obtaining missing VA treatment records and addressing issues related to service connection, increased evaluation, and TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for myofascial low back pain with degenerative joint disease prior to May 26, 2011 is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for myofascial low back pain with degenerative joint disease from May 26, 2011 to February 19, 2019 is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for myofascial low back pain with degenerative joint disease since February 20, 2019 is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, and he is now entitled to service connection for back disability effective March 11, 2009. The issue of secondary service connection for chronic kidney disease remains pending.

The Veteran's asthma, low back disability, and PTSD are being remanded for additional examinations to assess their current severity.

The Veteran's back disability was rated at 20 percent prior to January 30, 2017. The Board denied a higher rating as the evidence did not show forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, or incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) during this period.

The Board dismissed the appeals for higher initial ratings and service connection claims related to right total knee arthroplasty, mechanical low back pain, DJD of the right hip, right ankle disability, PTSD, erectile dysfunction (secondary to physical disabilities), and right shoulder strain (secondary to physical disabilities).

The Board has denied service connection for high blood pressure due to the lack of a current diagnosis. The claims for joint pain, abnormal weight loss, eczema, left knee disability, and stomach condition are remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's hypertension and low back disability claims are remanded for further examination and opinion. The hypertension claim is denied as the evidence does not show a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, or current diastolic pressures of predominantly 100 or more.

A 40 percent rating for low back disability is granted, effective January 7, 2019.,A separate 10 percent rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is granted, effective January 4, 2019.

The Veteran's back disability and depression are being remanded for further development as they may be related to his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy was denied as there is no evidence of its onset during or within one year after service, and it is not related to herbicide exposure.,Service connection for lumbar spine disability was granted with a 40% rating effective March 2, 2017. The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating remains pending as the current rating does not meet his expectations.,The Veteran's PTSD claim resulted in a 50% initial rating effective March 2, 2017, with no further increase sought.,The Veteran's status post shrapnel wound to the lower left abdomen/groin with damage to the ilioinguinal nerve was not granted an increased rating as his disability did not meet criteria for a higher rating based on severity or incapacitating episodes.,Service connection for total disability due to service-connected disabilities was granted, but no effective date prior to March 2, 2017 is awarded.

The Board has denied service connection for low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The claims are not currently decided on their merits.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and new evidence. The issues include thoracic spine, lumbar spine, hip, left leg neurological disability, and left foot drop disabilities that are claimed as secondary to cervical spine myelopathy or TBI.

The Board has denied service connection for a right knee disorder, low back disorder, and peripheral neuropathy of the right leg as these conditions are not shown to be causally related to military service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claimed back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and arthritis may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back condition is service-connected, finding that his current back issue likely began during his military service and was caused by a 1962 injury aboard an aircraft carrier. The decision resolves in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities have been granted. The VA is directed to schedule the Veteran for examinations to address the nature and etiology of each disability, with consideration of his recent assertions and treatment reports pertaining to pre-service injury.