Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's claims for higher ratings and TDIU, as the current examination reports do not provide sufficient information regarding functional loss due to flare-ups and repeated use over time.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a lumbar strain, left ankle degenerative arthritis, patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee with degenerative joint disease, and hemorrhoids, caused wear and tear to his clothing. The Board granted clothing allowances for these conditions in calendar year 2016.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of service connection claims for various conditions as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been granted, and he is now entitled to VA benefits starting from the date of his original claim in July 15, 2014.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for lumbar strain service connection remains pending as there was no prior formal or informal claim filed before July 15, 2014.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is related to his service as a storekeeper on the USS Bon Homme Richard.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's neck disorder is aggravated by his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical neck degenerative joint disease and low back degenerative joint disease, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to his time in service as a fighter pilot.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar strain and intervertebral disc syndrome prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was reopened due to new and material evidence. However, the claim was denied as there is no medical evidence in significant conflict with the findings of the VA examinations that link his current low back disability to his military service.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative disease is rated at 20 percent since September 28, 2016. His right lower extremity radiculopathy is also rated at 20 percent since the same date.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected degenerative joint and disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine was denied. The Board also found that there is insufficient evidence to grant service connection for fibromyalgia as secondary to his back disability, and remanded this issue for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claims for left shoulder disorder, hypertension, stomach disorder, PTSD and depression, right ankle disorder, tinnitus, left ankle DJD, lumbar spine strain, right Osgood-Schlatter’s syndrome, rhinitis, and right elbow laceration scar have all been denied. The claim for service connection for PTSD and depression has been reopened due to new evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back disorder, bilateral hip disorder, and psychiatric disorder (depression) due to inadequate examinations and failure to address the Veteran's assertions of continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has granted service connection for low back degenerative disc disease and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity as secondary to a low back disability.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for low back, left knee, right knee, left lower extremity neuropathy, and right lower extremity neuropathy due to in-service marching, standing, and loading/unloading duties.

The Veteran's right knee disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability, and the lumbar spine disability is remanded for further examination. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected right knee chondromalacia, degenerative joint disease of the left knee, and degenerative disk disease of L5-S1.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of TBI is dismissed. The claims for service connection and evaluations for lower extremity neuropathy/radiculopathy, as well as the TDIU claim are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, right hip condition, and major depressive disorder due to lack of new and material evidence for the back disorder claim. The Board also found no current diagnoses or continuity of symptoms for the right hip condition and psychiatric disorders.