Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection as his lumbar back and disc condition did not have onset in service, is not related to his active service, and did not manifest within one year after separation from active service.

The Veteran's lumbar strain has been granted an increased rating of 20 percent from September 5, 2006 to November 16, 2018. A higher rating exceeding 40 percent is denied beginning November 16, 2018.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities due to insufficient examination opinions.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability and remanded it. The claim for increased rating of urethritis was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and back injury have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with IVDS and its impact on his employment. The issues of increased rating and TDIU are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical spine disorder, low back disorder, left shin disorder, right shin disorder, and right thigh disorder due to inadequate VA examination reports. The Veteran is required to undergo new VA examinations and provide additional treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder, bilateral knee disorders (left and right), left ankle disorder, bilateral plantar fasciitis, iritis, and tinnitus are related to service.,Service connection is granted for a low back disorder, bilateral knee disorders (left and right), left ankle disorder, bilateral plantar fasciitis, iritis, and tinnitus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for macular degeneration, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, a neck condition to include curve in spine and loss of mobility, left arm condition to include loss of strength, and muscular degeneration. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, back, bilateral knee, and bilateral hand disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The VA will determine if these conditions are related to her hepatitis C or aggravated by it.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to determine the appropriate ratings for the Veteran's service-connected disabilities throughout the entire appeal period and therefore, the claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine strain and a rating in excess of 10 percent for posttraumatic arthritis of the left humeral head with rotator cuff tear due to unsuccessful attempts in contacting the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for lower back and right hip disorders, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his time in service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection due to new evidence showing she was injured during her period of inactive duty training. The Board then found that the Veteran's current low back disability is at least as likely caused by a December 2001 motor vehicle accident while on active duty, and granted service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, bilateral knee pain, and bilateral hearing loss as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.,There was no indication of any in-service event, disease, or injury related to the Veteran's current disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disorder and its relationship to service, particularly her service-connected left knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar strain (low back) disability, left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, and right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disorder and a back disorder, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has determined that the VA examination provided for the low back disability claim is inadequate and requires further clarification.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, low back, and knee disabilities. The claims are being remanded to obtain updated treatment records from Darnall AMC and to schedule the Veteran for examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his right shoulder disability and the current severity of his bilateral knee disabilities.