Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of low back pain, DMII, blurred vision secondary to DMII, hypertension secondary to DMII, erectile dysfunction secondary to DMII, nocturia secondary to DMII, and migraines. The right ankle disability was also denied a higher rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, bilateral pes planus, and sciatic radiculopathy as secondary to a low back disability. The claim for hallux valgus/bunion is currently pending.,Further examination is needed to determine if the current hallux valgus/bunion condition is related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has granted service connection for mild degenerative joint disease of the left and right knees, finding that the Veteran's current knee conditions are related to his military service.,Service connection was denied for a left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, and lower back disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and dismissed the claim of service connection for a neck disability. The decision is based on new evidence received since the previous denial, which suggests that the Veteran's lumbar spondylosis may be subject to presumptive service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine due to incomplete VA examination and lack of recent VA treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and residuals of a left ankle sprain, finding that there was no causal relationship between his current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than June 10, 2005 for the grant of service connection for his back condition and associated scars were denied.,Claims for right knee osteoarthritis and left knee degenerative arthritis also had their effective dates denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's low back disability and RLE/LLE radiculopathy are being remanded for additional examination to determine the current level of severity. The rating for LLE radiculopathy is also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination for assessing the Veteran's back disability, requiring another VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, low back disorder, and left leg disorder have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection has been granted for all three conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected thoracolumbar strain, patellarfemoral syndrome and medial meniscal tear (left knee), patellarfemoral syndrome (right knee), residual surgical scars (right hand, right and left knees, and cyst, right hand), painful scar (left lower extremity), and scar (right upper extremity) are being remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the left and right knee, back disability, and bilateral foot disability due to a lack of a medical opinion regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine was granted as new and material evidence has been received since the July 2011 rating decision.

The Board has dismissed all the claims of service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's initial rating for left shoulder rotator cuff strain is denied, and his thoracic and lumbar strain and spasm are granted with a 20% rating. Other conditions remain denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to December 16, 2015 and on and thereafter.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to outstanding SSA records and for additional examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability, lumbar spine disability, and Crohn’s disease. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.