Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbar spine, as well as TDIU, are being remanded due to incomplete development.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for upper respiratory disability, low back disability, bilateral knee disability, pes planus, acquired psychiatric disability (likely depression and anxiety), and left shoulder disability due to incomplete development. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is also being evaluated.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates, but remanded several issues related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent, effective October 24, 2007. The appeal for service connection and separate evaluations for sleep apnea and lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and hypertension, finding that the evidence did not support a causal relationship to service or service-connected conditions.,Service connection was also denied for hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus and/or PTSD. The Board found no direct causation due to herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the use of a low back brace, but VA determined that the damage to his shirts is not due to wear and tear caused by the brace. The decision was based on clinical evidence and guidance from VHA Handbook 1173.15.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease with scapular thoracic pain is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including unspecified depressive disorder, low back pain, neck pain, elbow and knee pain, neuropathy of the hands and feet, and seborrheic keratosis, have been denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of a current disability or link to service for most of these claims.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for unspecified depressive disorder has also been denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus, bilateral knee/leg disorder, and back disorder with arthritis as the evidence did not show a direct relationship to active service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability. The Veteran's low back disability is found to have had its onset during his active duty service and has continued since that time.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, abdominal hernia, bilateral cataract status post intraocular lens replacement in left eye, and pancreatitis are remanded due to unclear evidence regarding the Veteran's service in Vietnam and potential exposure to herbicides.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and bilateral hearing loss due to lack of medical evidence on record.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection and increased evaluations, including obtaining updated treatment records from Landstuhl Regional Medical Center and providing new VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence in the record regarding his claimed cervical spine disability, bilateral radiculopathy, and headaches. The VA is instructed to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to evaluate these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is granted as service-connected. The cases of anorgasmia, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, bursitis of the left hip, status-post trauma to the left thumb and middle finger, and traumatic brain injury are all remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's lumbar arthritis is rated at 20 percent prior to April 27, 2015. From that date forward, the claim for a higher rating remains denied.

The Veteran's left shoulder disorder is not service-connected as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that it was incurred in or aggravated by service.,Service connection for bilateral hand pain (claimed as arthritis) is denied because there is no current diagnosis of arthritis or other disability manifested by bilateral hand pain.,The Veteran's low back disorder is not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing the condition manifested during service or within one year thereafter, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that it was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the claims for a lumbar spine condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and/or PTSD) due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's service treatment records do not contain complaints, treatments or diagnoses of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's back disorder is related to her service as a medical services specialist and whether it is caused or aggravated by her service-connected bilateral shin splints.