Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease and eligibility for the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment, or adaptive equipment only. The remaining issues were remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of his lumbar condition is granted, and the TDIU claim is denied.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the Veteran's failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The cases are now pending and will be rescheduled for further evaluation.

The Veteran's eligibility for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation is remanded due to additional mobility problems associated with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. The Board finds a need for a new VA examination to evaluate the current severity of his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to ambulate.

The Veteran's claim for a bilateral hand disability is denied as there is no current evidence of such a condition.,The Veteran's claim for a low back disability is denied due to lack of in-service injury or disease, and the absence of any chronic low back disability since service.,The Veteran's claim for chronic sinusitis is denied because there is no evidence of a chronic disorder during service or related to an in-service event.,The Veteran's claim for obstructive sleep apnea (claimed as PTSD) is remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding the onset and relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's ability to sit for extended periods of time and his foot disabilities' impact on sleep, as well as the need for updated medical records and evaluations.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability does not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disorder. The decision is based on evidence showing that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service back pain.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for residuals of lumbar spine injury, bilateral leg disability, bilateral knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disability. The claims are all denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for back, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to a lack of competent evidence showing current disability.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various conditions and mental health disorders. The specific issues include fibromyalgia, left shoulder condition, left side back condition, cervical spine condition, left hand muscle failure, hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, total abdominal hysterectomy, skin condition, headaches (including as secondary to seizures), carpal tunnel syndromes, seizures (to include as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder), memory loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board also requested additional evidence related to the Veteran's claims for service connection based on personal assault.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the severity of his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities and the etiology of any diagnosed back disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate March 2017 VA examination, and a new examination is required.

The claim of service connection for a neck disorder is reopened and remanded. The claims for back and acquired psychiatric disorders are also remanded.

The Board has decided that the appellant does not have a bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes and denied service connection for this condition. The other issues on appeal are remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including shoulder, elbow, foot/toes numbness, wrist, knee, ankle, eye, vertigo, breathing difficulties, and hypertension have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates due to additional development being required, and a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) needs to be issued.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claims for a low back disability and bilateral knee disabilities due to new and material evidence. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back condition is not related to service or his service-connected residuals, left big toe fracture. The evidence does not show a nexus between the Veteran’s current diagnosed back condition and service.

The Board has denied service connection for elevated cholesterol due to the absence of a current disability. The remaining issues (epilepsy, acquired psychiatric disability, hypertension, right shoulder disability, sleep apnea, tinnitus, and low back disability) are remanded for further examination and opinion.