Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his in-service injuries and chronic low back pain since those injuries. The decision also notes that the Veteran's occupation did not cause his current condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection of acute thoracic and lumbar strain, left knee condition, migraines, and PTSD. The claims are reopened but remain denied as there is insufficient evidence to establish a direct link between these conditions and active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial disability rating for his right foot condition and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine due to incomplete medical records and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent, and his adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood was not found to warrant higher ratings.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted with an effective date of May 31, 2012. The Board affirms the earlier effective date for TDIU to May 31, 2012 based on the evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities prevent him from maintaining gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, left and right knee conditions are remanded due to conflicting medical opinions. Further examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his right hip, lumbar spine, bilateral knee, and right ankle disabilities. The claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to August 24, 2015. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether he was unable to secure and follow such an occupation due to these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a left foot condition, right foot condition, and low back condition. The decision found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.,There is no indication of any fracture residuals from service, and the current diagnoses are attributed to post-service factors.

The Veteran's disc bulge with posterior annular tear of the thoracolumbar spine is found to be etiologically related to his active service, and therefore service connection for this condition is granted.

The claim is granted as the Veteran's back disability was reopened based on additional service treatment records.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability due to new and material evidence, but the claim is remanded for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back and left lower extremity disorders are related to his military service, but further examination is needed to confirm this determination.

The Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss, anxiety disorder NOS (PTSD spectrum/PTSD features), and depressive disorder NOS are granted. The claim for a back disorder is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for degenerative disk disease of the lumbar spine, finding that new and material evidence was not received.,The Board also denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a left knee disorder, including medial meniscal tear, degenerative type, finding that new and material evidence was not received.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, but these issues are still pending as they have been remanded due to new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension had its onset in service and continues to this day, granting his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected degenerative disc disease, spondylosis, thoracolumbar strain with intervertebral disc syndrome, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the addition of new evidence since the last Statement of the Case.

The Board has found that additional development is needed to fully assist the Veteran with his claim for service connection for residuals of a low back injury, including obtaining outstanding medical records from Dr. K.S., Dr. L, and VA.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's low back disability.