Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's use of back and wrist braces for service-connected disabilities causes abnormal wear and tear on his clothing, warranting a clothing allowance for the year 2017.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection of lower back disorder and right knee disorder. The claims are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding causation.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disability and an initial compensable rating for left femoral fracture residuals. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran's hypertension and bilateral foot disability claims were denied as new and material evidence was not submitted.,Service connection for thoracic aortic aneurysm, chest pain, PTSD, lumbar spine arthritis, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral ankle swelling/disability, CAD, prostate cancer, chronic kidney disease, anemia, diabetes mellitus, type II, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and obstructive sleep apnea were all denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded several issues including the rating for PTSD and service connection for lumbosacral strain and chronic headaches. The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is currently rated 70% disabling, but the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's service connection claims for chronic low back pain, left ankle condition, chronic sinusitis, and acid peptic disease (also claimed as gastroenteritis) due to a need for further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back condition, diagnosed as lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, finding no link between his current disorder and an event, injury, or disease incurred in service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from engaging in the acts of gainful employment prior to July 25, 2011.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any low back condition, as it may be related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right hip, low back, and left hip disabilities due to unresolved questions regarding their etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, right index finger disability, low back disability, skin disability, and sciatica of both lower extremities. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible statements regarding in-service injuries and current diagnoses.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for back, bilateral hip, bilateral foot, and bilateral hand/wrist disorders need to be remanded due to inconsistencies in previous evaluations and consideration of other factors.

The Veteran's combined disability rating of 30 percent effective May 27, 2015 was properly calculated as he had four service-connected disabilities each rated at a 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been received. The issues of service connection for back disability, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are still pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of his current disability levels.

An effective date of December 15, 2008, but not earlier, for the award of a 40 percent rating for a chronic lumbar strain is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding a compensable rating and an effective date for service connection of low back disability. The Veteran's claims are related to his service-connected condition, not exposure to any specific agent or environment.

The reduction from 20 percent to 10 percent for the Veteran's service-connected low back strain, effective January 5, 2015, was improper and a 20 percent rating is restored.,The Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is remanded.