Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted TDIU based on this finding.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and a right hip disability due to inadequate medical opinions. The case will be returned for further development, including obtaining new VA examinations and supplemental medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination due to inadequate previous examinations.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus, finding clear and unmistakable evidence that the Veteran's preexisting pes planus did not worsen during active duty.,Service connection was also denied for back disability and bilateral knee disability, as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected condition. Headache disability was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee osteoarthritis, thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease and strain with scoliosis, left knee strain, left ankle osteoarthritis, and right ankle bursitis are all remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was denied a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to January 24, 2019 and in excess of 30 percent from that date.,Radiculopathy of the right upper extremity and left lower extremity were both denied ratings in excess of 20 percent.,Left upper extremity radiculopathy was also denied a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to January 24, 2019.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for left shoulder disability and low back disability. The Veteran's skin cancer is denied as there is no evidence it began during service or is related to in-service exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's low back condition is related to his service-connected knee disabilities and if it began during or within one year of service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for gastrointestinal disability and herniated disc in the low back, including consideration of herbicide exposure.

The Board denied service connection for low back, sciatica, right hip, left hip, right knee, and left knee conditions due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between the current disabilities and in-service activities.

The Board has found that there was no substantial compliance with the requirements for VA examinations, and thus remanded the claims of service connection for lower and upper back disabilities, as well as an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss.

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

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection and increased ratings for various knee, shoulder, and back conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back, right foot, and left foot disabilities due to outstanding VA treatment records and private medical records. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for a psychiatric disability (posttraumatic stress disorder), which was granted in a separate decision.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for vision problems, fatigue, COPD, degenerative disc disease, headaches, and neurobehavioral effects including trouble relaxing and short tempered have been dismissed. The appeal for TDIU is remanded.

The Veteran's increased rating for headaches is granted, and her TDIU is also granted. The cervical spine strain with posttraumatic cervical radiculopathy and residuals of small broad base disc bulge at the level of L4-5 and L5-S1 lumbar spine are both remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck, lumbar spine, right hip, left knee, right knee, left hip, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities. The claims are also remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back condition is not related to his active service, including a single incident of in-service treatment for mild tenderness over the dorsal spine. The preponderance of evidence does not support a causal relationship between the Veteran's service and his current diagnosis.

The Veteran's cervical spine DDD, GERD, facial dermatitis, and internal hemorrhoids were all remanded for further evaluation. The appeal in the matter of residuals of a right fourth toe fracture is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for pes planus (flat feet) and a neck condition were denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,Entitlement to service connection for a seizure disorder and stroke associated with seizure was also denied.