Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for right shoulder pain, chronic low back pain, right knee pain, and right foot pain. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active duty.

The reduction of the Veteran's service-connected back disability from 20% to 10% was improper, and the rating has been restored.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for mechanical lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease, left leg lumbar radiculopathy of the femoral and sciatic nerves, and right leg lumbar radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve. The effective dates for separate compensable evaluations for left leg lumbar radiculopathy of the femoral and sciatic nerves as well as right leg lumbar radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve are also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his degenerative disc disease and spondylosis of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for further evaluation.

Your claims for service connection have been granted for several conditions, including tinnitus, traumatic brain injury, PTSD, left ear hearing loss, and acquired psychiatric disorders. However, your claims for cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, peripheral neuropathies of the lower extremities, and right arm disorder are still pending and will require further examination and evaluation.,Your service connection requests have been granted for tinnitus, traumatic brain injury, PTSD, left ear hearing loss, and acquired psychiatric disorders. However, your cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, peripheral neuropathies of the lower extremities, and right arm disorder claims are still pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of her VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment records.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to inadequate examinations. The VA needs to schedule new examinations to assess the severity of his knee disabilities and thoracolumbar spine disability, including any flare-ups.

The Veteran's GERD is granted service connection. The claim for higher rating of degenerative arthrosis of the lumbar spine prior to August 7, 2013 is denied. Claims for higher initial ratings for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities are granted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the severity of his condition.

The Veteran's urinary frequency, due to his service-connected hypertension and medication use, is rated at 40 percent. The Veteran also meets the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's back and hearing loss disabilities have increased in severity since his last VA examination, and additional examinations are needed to determine the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability is denied as the evidence does not establish that his current condition was caused by or related to his active military service.

The Board denied the appellant's claims of entitlement to service connection for right knee disorder, left knee disorder (to include as secondary to a service-connected disorder), and back disorder. The evidence did not establish an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board has denied reopening of previously denied claims for service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine disorder, bilateral knee and foot disorders, heart disorder, eye injury residuals, Meniere’s Syndrome, degenerative arthritis of the upper extremities, left shoulder injury, right wrist disorder, fractured ribs, ear disorder (excluding hearing loss), tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, bleeding disorder, and diabetes mellitus. The Board also remanded for further action on a claim for service connection for a left wrist disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations, as well as retrieval of relevant medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to new evidence received within one year of previous rating decisions. The issues include lumbar spine, cervical spine, left foot, left knee, colon disabilities, right eye strabismus hypertropia and exotropia, deviated nasal septum, and hepatitis C.

The Board has granted service connection for hysterectomy but has remanded the issues of cervical back condition and gastrointestinal disorder due to exposure in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's explosive disorder and adjustment disorder are found to be service-connected.,PTSD is also found to be service-connected. Prostate cancer, left big toe disorder, low back disorder, GERD, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome were not found to be service-connected.

The Veteran was granted service connection for various conditions, including anxiety disorder and depression, lumbar strain and intervertebral disc syndrome, right lower extremity sciatica, and bilateral hearing loss. Service connection was denied for cervical spine disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA as secondary to PTSD, and has remanded the issues regarding low back disability, peripheral neuropathy, onychomycosis of the feet, and skin disability.