Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including TBI residuals, PTSD, hearing loss, ocular migraine headaches, cervical spine disability, skin cancer, and others, were denied as the evidence did not support a causal relationship between these conditions and her military service.

The Veteran's appeals to reopen claims for service connection for low back disability and headaches have been granted. The cases are remanded for further development.

The petition to reopen the claims for service connection for a back condition and left knee degenerative arthritis is granted. The appeal is granted to that extent only.

The Board has determined that the VA examination is inadequate and remands the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current low back strain disability is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disability, low back disability, and headache disability were not incurred or aggravated during her military service.,Further examination is required to determine if any current disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's TDIU and SMC claims were denied as his service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating or SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, finding that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran's current diagnoses are considered in relative equipoise with his service-connected bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, leading to a determination that his back condition is at least as likely as not related to this service-connected disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD with IVDS is granted an initial rating of 40 percent, but no higher. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to service and has been granted. The low back, right hip, left knee, and psychiatric disorder claims are remanded for further examination and analysis.

The Board has remanded three issues: increased ratings for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine and right ankle disabilities, and entitlement to a total rating based on individual employability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back pain, neck pain, degenerative joint disease of the left knee, degenerative joint disease of the right knee, and hypertension due to potential service connection based on a claimed in-service fall from an aircraft carrier deck.

The Board has granted service connection for a thoracolumbar condition as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability. Service connection for tinnitus was denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine, status post left knee lateral meniscectomy, and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to inadequate examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the appeals are granted.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of the denial of service connection for low back disability, residuals of right knee arthroscopic surgery, acquired psychiatric disorder, and diabetes mellitus as there was no adequate substantive appeal filed.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and remanded the right wrist disability claim. The left wrist disability claim was denied.

The Veteran's lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted. The issue of entitlement to TDIU was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of his back disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his active duty service.

The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disorder is allowed. The appeal is granted to that extent only, and the claims for service connection for hypertension are remanded.