Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and back disability have been reopened. Service connection has been granted for the back disability but denied for hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was granted service connection as aggravated by service. The right and left shoulder disabilities were denied, and the Veteran's cervical strain and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with muscle spasm are currently rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy, femoral nerve involvement, associated with his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability was granted on June 22, 2011. The Board found that the effective date should be set at this date as it is later than when entitlement arose.

The Board has remanded the case due to an extra-schedular evaluation for the Veteran's back disability. The claim will be referred to the Director, Compensation Service, for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine DJD and left hip disability due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations. The Veteran contends that his current disabilities are secondary to service-connected right knee total arthroplasty, right lower extremity fracture with bone shortening, and residuals of a fracture of the left humerus.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for psychiatric disorder, low back disorder, and diverticulitis were denied. The effective date for the award of service connection for a psychiatric disorder was not earlier than June 3, 2003.

The Board denied service connection for a left foot disorder and an increased rating for DDD of the lumbar spine, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and stomach condition (gastroenteritis) have been granted. The appeal to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for atypical headache with features of migraine has also been granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen his service connection claims for left shoulder injury, neck disability, and back disability due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's petition to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for a left knee disorder is granted, and he is now entitled to service connection for this condition.,Service connection is also granted for the Veteran's back disorder. The right knee disorder remains in dispute as it was not addressed by the Board.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia and low back disability (DJD) are granted as service connected, but the Board found no direct connection to service. The low back condition is considered a subsequent manifestation of arthritis due to his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the Veteran's request for a Decision Review Officer (DRO) hearing, which was not scheduled. The claim will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Board denied the Veteran's attempt to reopen his claim of service connection for a low back disorder, including low back pain/muscle strain. The evidence submitted did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the increased rating for low back disability, and as a result, the claim is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's low back and right knee disabilities are related to service, particularly as secondary to his right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability should be remanded due to an inaccurate medical history and need for additional examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease, and the disabilities did not manifest within one year after separation from service. The claim for diabetes mellitus was also denied due to lack of a diagnosis before separation.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that it had its onset during combat service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal of the issues of entitlement to service connection for low back disorder, muscle twitching due to undiagnosed illness (UI), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) due to undiagnosed illness (UI), headaches due to undiagnosed illness (UI), and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is remanded.,The AOJ will arrange for an appropriate examiner to determine whether the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, muscle twitching due to undiagnosed illness (UI), CFS due to undiagnosed illness (UI), headaches due to undiagnosed illness (UI), and OSA are related to active service or a UI.