Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, secondary to residuals of lumbar spine surgery has been granted.,Compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals of lumbar spine surgery is also granted.

The Veteran's back disability, including arthritic changes, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and L5-S1 spondylolisthesis, was shown as chronic in service and manifested after service. The Board granted service connection for these conditions based on a continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete or ongoing development. The issues of service connection and increased ratings for cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities are pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for further development, including obtaining inpatient treatment records from 1988 and 1993. The Veteran's low back condition is being examined by an appropriate clinician to determine its etiology.

The Board has vacated its May 16, 2018 decision and remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for TBI, low back pain, right shoulder condition, and left shoulder condition as these conditions are found to be related to the Veteran's time in service.

The Veteran's tension headaches are caused and aggravated by her service-connected anxiety disorder. The appeal for service connection for other conditions is still pending.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and has remanded the remaining issues of back disability, right knee disability, and bilateral flat foot (pes planus).

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, finding that it is related to his in-service injury and his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues related to diabetes mellitus, right knee conditions, and lumbar spine conditions. The Board dismissed the appeal as these claims were withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is related to service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his neck disorder and back disability. The main reasons for remand are obtaining SSA records, providing an addendum opinion on the relationship between the neck disorder and back disability, and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of the Veteran's back and radiculopathy disabilities.

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability was granted. However, the claim itself remains denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current cervical spine disability and an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including tumors of the feet, hypercholesterolemia, an acquired psychiatric disorder, a sleep disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hypertension, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, back disorder, and arthritis have all been denied. The effective dates are not specified as they were part of earlier rating decisions that were not appealed.

The appeal of PTSD was dismissed. A 70 percent rating for major depressive disorder is granted, and the Veteran's sleep apnea and/or sleep disturbance, left knee condition, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, and lumbar strain issues are remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for VA examinations to assess the impact of his service-connected conditions on his ability to work.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability, finding that there is no competent evidence relating his current disability to his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of upper back injury, to include wedge deformity of the ninth thoracic vertebrae and degenerative disc disease, as well as right knee disability. The Veteran's current disabilities are related to his in-service injuries.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied. From July 25, 2012 to April 24, 2013, the Veteran received a maximum 60 percent rating for his lumbar spine disability under the IVDS Rating Formula. The Veteran also received a 10 percent rating for left knee chondromalacia from July 25, 2012.

The Board has decided that a VA examination and medical opinion are needed to determine if the Veteran's current lumbosacral disability is related to his military service.