Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the cases for additional medical opinions to clarify the etiology of the Veteran's claimed low back, bilateral knee, and respiratory disabilities. The issues are still pending as service connection is being considered on the merits.

The Veteran's application to reopen a claim for service connection of his low back disability was denied. The Board also granted an increased rating of 20 percent for his right arm (shoulder) disability, but remanded the cases regarding DVT and partial tear of the left biceps tendon.

The Veteran's chronic low back pain was found to have begun in service and has continued since then, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability was denied as the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes requiring bed rest.,The Veteran's gastroesophageal disability was also denied as it did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7346.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of left total knee arthroplasty, residuals of right total knee arthroplasty, low back condition, and GERD were denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for sleep apnea was granted as it developed because or was aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for a chronic back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability, specifically whether it is related to her military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obtaining outstanding VA treatment records, including those scanned into the VA hospital’s imaging system.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to incomplete consideration of evidence from July 27, 2009 to December 8, 2015.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability, including degenerative joint disease, degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis, is granted. The appeals for service connection for bilateral knee, ankle, foot and toe disabilities are dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability with sciatica, finding that the current condition is related to in-service injuries and symptoms have persisted since then.

The Veteran's TBI claim is denied, and his cervical and lumbosacral spine disabilities are granted with effective dates of September 20, 2017. The headaches and left ankle sprain claims remain pending.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, cervical spine disability (secondary to a low back disability), and headaches (secondary to a low back disability). The decision is based on evidence at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's naval service.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected. His lumbar spine and right knee conditions, as well as his sinusitis and irritable bowel syndrome are denied due to lack of in-service incurrence or relationship.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back disability, erectile dysfunction, and radiculopathy (muscle cramps in lower extremities) due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board dismissed the appeal of the increased rating for thoracolumbar spine disability as the appellant withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA claims are remanded for further development, including obtaining private medical records and VA medical records. The VA’s Director of Compensation Service will consider the extraschedular consideration for TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed due to the Veteran’s representative withdrawing all issues except for those related to coronary artery disease, TDIU, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's hip disability and back disorder. The case will be reviewed with additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and conducting new VA examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral plantar fasciitis. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.