Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and back disability need further development to verify the occurrence of his in-service stressor and to obtain a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, a low back disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and hemorrhoids were denied effective January 29, 2016.,Eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 was also denied effective January 29, 2016.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back condition, bilateral knee condition, muscle condition, and headaches as there is no evidence showing that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for right and left knee osteoarthritis, as well as service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, intervertebral disc syndrome, and spinal stenosis, have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the appellant.

The Board has granted service connection for an ulcer disability. The issues of service connection for the remaining conditions are remanded.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disorder and remanded the issues of rating in excess of 30 percent for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a total right knee arthroplasty, degenerative disc disease of the lower back, hypertension, migraine headaches (secondary to tinnitus), and depressive disorder secondary to degenerative disc disease was granted. The effective date is set at the date of receipt of the petition to reopen.

The Board has determined that more development is necessary before final adjudication of the claims on appeal, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities and whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the previously denied claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for flat feet and back disorder. The case is being remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's initial rating for his right shoulder condition has been increased to 20 percent, effective September 2017. The appeal is remanded due to the need to address the issue of an initial rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board denied claims for service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine disability, cellulitis and deep vein thrombosis, major depressive disorder, prostate cancer, fibromyalgia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The claim of entitlement to special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound was dismissed.

The Veteran's low back pain syndrome with minimal degenerative joint disease of lumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that it more nearly approximates favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine. The Veteran’s left lower extremity radiculopathy prior to December 27, 2018, results in no more than mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve, while from December 27, 2018, it results in no more than moderate incomplete paralysis.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded as there are issues with his service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disability but denied service connection for a dental disability (for compensation purposes). The claim was reopened due to new and material evidence received since the April 1983 rating decision.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for neck and back disabilities due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, bronchitis, a back disability, COPD, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus have been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions and denied reopening of his claims. However, it granted reopening of a claim for prostate cancer due to herbicide exposure and assigned an effective date of March 10, 2003.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss. The Veteran's claims for low back disorder, right knee disorder, and various skin conditions are remanded due to the need for new evidence or clarification of veteran status. Claims for numbness in arms and legs as well as a headache and nerve condition related to Camp Lejeune exposure are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim for an adequate examination to determine the severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder from March 1, 2010 onward due to inadequate previous examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a relationship between his current condition and his military service.