Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various knee, shoulder, elbow, and spine disabilities have been denied. The effective dates for the initial ratings of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral) and left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral), as well as for the initial rating of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic) and left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic), have been amended to October 21, 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc and joint disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the VA criteria for establishing a hearing loss disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.385, and therefore his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss must be denied. The cases of low back disorder, cervical spine disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depression) are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, joint disorder, cataracts, coronary artery disease, abdominal aortic aneurysm, esophageal varices, and skin disorder is remanded due to potential exposure to Agent Orange during his military service.,Specifically, the Board requests further investigation into the Veteran's claimed exposure to Agent Orange at Clark Air Base in the Philippines from May to December 1965.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been submitted. The back disability claim is being remanded for a VA examination, while the psychiatric disability claim remains inextricably intertwined with the back disability claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder was reopened due to new and material evidence. However, the Board denied both his claims for service connection for a back disorder and right lower extremity neuropathy as they were not related to his in-service injuries or service-connected conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, neurological disabilities of the lower extremities, and hypertension. The claims are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the adequacy of the VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's low back disability. The case will be reconsidered with a focus on whether the pre-existing condition worsened during service or if it is related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for traumatic arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is granted as it resulted from an injury during a period of inactive duty training (INACDUTRA).

The Board has denied claims for service connection for a chronic back disability and arthritis of the lower extremities, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to active military service.

The Board denied service connection for scoliosis of the thoracic spine and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that the Veteran's conditions were not incurred or aggravated by her active service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, neck disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims for left knee disability, left hip disability, and right hip disability have been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine, rated at 10 percent prior to July 25, 2018 and 20 percent thereafter is denied. The claim for individual unemployability (TDIU) is also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to additional relevant evidence being added to his claims file.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, and a headache disability, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and increased evaluations on multiple conditions has been dismissed.,Service connection is denied for pitting edema in the bilateral lower extremities and inflammation of the left foot.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is being remanded for an additional medical opinion to determine if it is at least as likely as not related to the in-service injury from a rock hitting him in 1985.

The Board denied service connection for lumbosacral strain with spinal fusion and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that it was not incurred in or caused by active service. The claim for a rating of 20 percent for residuals of thoracic spine injury was granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with lower extremity radiculopathy and left ear hearing loss due to new evidence received since the April 2012 rating decision.,Service connection was denied for both conditions as there is no credible evidence linking them to service.