Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for clothing allowances for bilateral leg braces and forearm crutches, finding that VA did not issue them in connection with service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral foot condition and back conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and a right knee disability, both secondary to the Veteran's service-connected residuals of a right femur fracture. The rating for the residuals of the right femur fracture remains at 20 percent.

The Veteran's cervical spine DDD is granted as service connected, with the Board finding that it was caused by an injury during his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for a bilateral shoulder disability, back disability, and neck disability due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran's lay history must be considered in determining whether service connection is warranted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's cervical spine disorder is related to his service-connected left clavicle fracture. The VA needs to obtain additional medical opinions and possibly new treatment records.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent effective April 7, 2016. The claim for TDIU prior to March 29, 2018 remains denied.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder and bilateral hearing loss, finding no current diagnosis of these conditions and insufficient evidence to link them to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, a back disability, and varicose veins of the right lower extremity have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disorder, hypertension, liver disorder, and thyroid disorder were denied. The claim for the back disorder was reopened due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. However, the Board found that there is no evidence linking the current back disorder to active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a new VA examination due to an inadequate previous one.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including left and right shoulder, hip, knee, stomach, leg sciatica, memory loss, low back, and right ear hearing loss disabilities were denied. The Board found no evidence of these conditions in service or related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, bilateral knee disorder, lower extremity numbness (lumbar radiculopathy), and depression.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for issuance of a Statement of the Case and consideration of his claims, including entitlement to SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is considered to have started during his combat service in Vietnam and has been recurring since then. The Board found that the Veteran's current condition can be linked to his military service, thus granting service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical strain, lumbar strain, left knee condition, and right knee condition due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including major depression, is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a lack of compliance with previous remand instructions, specifically obtaining a VA examination. The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disorders are being reviewed for secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for right knee strain, anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, and lumbar spine DDD due to lack of a medical opinion on whether the Veteran's right knee strain is secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine DDD. The TDIU claim prior to July 30, 2015, remains part of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including sleep apnea and diabetes mellitus, are denied. The Board has found the Veteran's claims for lumbar DDD, cervical DDD, BUE peripheral neuropathy, BLE peripheral neuropathy, a skin condition, and an acquired psychiatric disorder to be inextricably intertwined with his exposure to toxic exposures at Fort McClellan and thus remanded.