Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him unable to perform daily activities of living without the assistance of another, and he is granted SMC for aid and attendance from another person.

The Veteran's increased ratings for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as his TDIU claim, were denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based upon the need for aid and attendance or housebound status is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his need for regular aid and attendance, specifically related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right-hand disability, low back disability, and left ankle disability due to a lack of service treatment records and missing current medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain, chronic low back disorder, psoriasis, right knee disability, and right lower extremity disability (including shin splints) have been granted. The appeals are remanded for further development regarding the right knee and right lower extremity disabilities.

The Veteran's initial ratings for residuals of lumbar strain, left knee arthritis, and right knee arthritis have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran was already assigned a 10 percent rating for each knee due to painful motion.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed for the Veteran's lower back and right ankle disabilities due to incomplete testing in previous evaluations. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is intertwined with the increased rating claims.

The Veteran's claims for left knee, right knee, and back disabilities have been dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran withdrew his claims prior to a decision being made. The issues of service connection for left leg radiculopathy and right leg radiculopathy are remanded.

The Veteran's low back condition, left and right lower extremity radiculopathies are granted service connection. A 10% rating is assigned for multiple noncompensable disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there was not substantial compliance with the July 2012 remand directive. A new VA examination is required to address whether any diagnosed low back disability had its clinical onset during active service or is caused by in-service disease, specifically right knee disability and/or service-connected flat feet.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his lumbosacral strain residuals, forehead scar, and lower extremity radiculopathy have been remanded due to the need for further evaluation. The TDIU claim is also pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and degenerative disc disease with spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine are being remanded due to inadequate examination findings. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to assess his current functional impairment.

The claim for service connection of the Veteran's back condition has been reopened due to new and material evidence. However, the issue remains remanded as the Board requires an addendum opinion from a clinician regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current back disability and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus, respiratory disability (including sinus disability and disability manifested by shortness of breath), acquired psychiatric disability, sleep apnea, and low back disability were not incurred or aggravated during service. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further examination.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disorder, lumbar spine disorder, bilateral hip disorder, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.,Service connection was granted for tinnitus. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is secondary to his service-connected hypertension.

The Board denied service connection for low back disability, eczema, and psoriasis. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the cases of entitlement to service connection for a heart disability, neck disability, and low back disability due to inadequate VA examination in May 2018. The Veteran's current disabilities are alleged to be related to her active service.

The Veteran's scoliosis with arthritis of the lumbar spine is granted service connection. The Veteran's alopecia is not granted a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to insufficient examination opinions addressing whether the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is secondary to his service-connected left calf disability, bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, or gait change.