Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine the current state of the Veteran's back condition. The initial rating for right knee strain remains denied.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a back disorder, left knee disorder, left heel/foot disorder, and hypertension due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for thoracolumbar spine disability, left ankle disability, and psychiatric disability due to lack of a VA examination addressing the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has not yet adjudicated the claims and needs to obtain additional medical records, provide VA examinations for the claimed disabilities, and readjudicate the claims. The appeal is being remanded.

The Veteran's back brace caused wear and tear to his clothing, leading the Board to grant a clothing allowance for the 2017 calendar year.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the low back was granted service connection as it had its onset in service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a right knee disorder, low back disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to procedural issues. The Veteran's claim of TDIU is also remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current back disability that manifested during or as a result of active military service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is granted service connection based on presumptive service connection due to his Persian Gulf War service.,The Veteran's ulcer disability is denied as not related to his period of service.,The Veteran's low back disability is denied as not related to his period of service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claims for back condition and bilateral hearing loss. The decision on whether these conditions are related to service is pending.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis and disc disease of the lumbar spine is related to his service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's skin and back disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for updated VA examinations. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the rating issues.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a low back disorder due to new and material evidence. However, it is denied as there is no direct link between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, rating for low back disability greater than 20%, and rating for left knee instability greater than 10%. The Veteran's representative argued that if the Board is unable to grant these claims, then they should be remanded for current examinations and outside medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder, left knee strain, right knee osteoarthritis, and cervical degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluation and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess her degenerative thoracic and lumbar spine disease, as well as clarification of her employment status.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability and left knee strain, as well as his claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The issues are being remanded for further examination and evaluation.

The Board has granted an effective date of June 7, 2010 for the award of service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran had moderate right lower extremity radiculopathy since at least June 7, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine DDD with IVDS and myelopathy, as well as his bilateral lower extremity radiculopathies, are currently rated at 40 percent. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to lack of ankylosis or prescribed bedrest during any calendar year.