Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation at the aid and attendance or housebound rate, eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing, and eligibility for a special home adaptation grant due to conflicting evidence of record regarding her service-connected disabilities' impact on her ability to perform activities of daily living.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claims for service connection for right knee strain and bilateral shin splints, but has remanded several other issues including back disability, residuals of broken toes, left inguinal hernia repair scar, and left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected lumbosacral strain. He argues that the VA examiner and VA failed to recognize findings from a private consultation, which documented more severe symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine disorder, left hip disorder, right hip disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, left foot disorder, and right foot disorder have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a current disability or in-service incurrence for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and the need to address whether any pre-existing conditions were aggravated by military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for fibromyalgia and a low back disability due to insufficient medical opinions. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disability and entitlement to TDIU due to inadequate opinions in the VA examination regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, specifically whether it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability with degenerative arthritis of the spine is granted as service connection, as it has been shown to have its onset in service.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder are rated at 70 percent, but no higher.,The Veteran is granted TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has denied service connection for a low back disability and hypertension, finding no in-service disease or injury that could be linked to the current conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic back condition and chronic headaches was denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,Service connection for the Veteran’s headache disorder was also denied as there is no medical evidence showing that his current headaches are related to his time in Southwest Asia or any other service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.,The Veteran is seeking higher ratings for his cervical spine and right upper extremity conditions, as well as service connection for various other disabilities.

The Veteran's emergency treatment for severe back pain and related symptoms at a private hospital was approved, as the condition met the criteria for immediate medical attention due to serious health risk.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a low back condition and hearing loss due to the need for additional medical examinations to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, but has remanded the issues of left shoulder disorder and fibromyalgia/polymyalgia rheumatica due to lack of evidence. The lumbar spine issue is also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is remanded as the VA examiner did not provide sufficient information regarding the combined effect of his multiple service-connected conditions on his ability to work.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, ischemic heart disease, and hypertension has been granted. The effective date is not specified as it was received after September 15, 2015.

The Veteran's right foot drop, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and service-connected right knee disability are all considered secondary. The claim for obstructive sleep apnea was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder due to inadequate opinion regarding in-service and post-service symptomatology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected postoperative neck scars, left ilium graft of right knee and shoulder, residuals of a right shoulder injury, cervical spine disability, and TDIU. The claim for lumbar spine disability was reopened but not granted.