Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, neck disability, left ankle disability, and left hand disability. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims of in-service injury or chronic symptoms.,There is no medical evidence linking any current disabilities to service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for a back disability, left elbow and hand disabilities, ear pain, headaches, and hearing loss. The effective date of an increased rating for acne vulgaris and dyshidrotic eczema remains at May 8, 2009.

The Veteran's left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board has denied a higher rating for this condition. The claims for service connection of bilateral knee disability and erectile dysfunction are remanded due to incomplete examination reports.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied due to lack of evidence showing the disabilities manifested within a year prior to the June 20, 2012 claim.,All VA medical records dated prior to June 20, 2012 and since March 2017 should be added to the claims file.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder due to new and material evidence submitted since the last final denial. The case is now remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine disorder is currently rated at 40 percent, effective December 2, 2014.,Service connection for the left hip trochanteric bursitis and abductor tear following surgery has been granted.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder, concluding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to an in-service injury or disease and is more likely due to a post-service accident.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right knee arthritis and multiple foot and hip conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and right knee disability, finding no evidence of chronic conditions during or within one year after service. The Board also found that there was no link between any current disabilities and service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a back disability, tinnitus, flat feet, and high cholesterol due to lack of examination.,Service connection is being reopened for back disability and tinnitus. The flat feet claim is based on aggravation during service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss as there is no evidence of a current disability. The issue of an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for a back disability is remanded due to incomplete VA examination records.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated 70 percent disabling, and the Board denied an increased rating. The low back disability remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are inextricably intertwined and must be remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and evidence. The issues of entitlement to service connection for meningitis, memory loss, migraines, an acquired psychiatric disorder, lower back disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, left leg disability, right leg disability, and pain in broken toes are all being remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for arthritis of the bilateral ankles, feet, knees, lumbar spine, and thoracic spine as secondary to service-connected fibromyalgia.

The Board denied service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a link to active service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board has denied service connection for migraines and granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus. The remaining issues have been remanded.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected back disability and depression, which render him unemployable.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, as his combined disability rating is only at 60 percent. The Board finds the evidence does not support a finding of TDIU.

The Veteran's peripheral vascular disease, degenerative joint and disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, post-operative status bowel resection, carcinoma of the cecum and bowel, and fecal incontinence are not service-connected. The Board denied these claims as they were not caused or aggravated by a service-connected condition.

The claim for service connection for a low back disability has been reopened and granted. The appeal is also granted in part, as the Veteran's request to remand his increased rating claims related to other disabilities was granted.