Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected left knee disorder and his current back and right knee disorders.

The Veteran's back and right knee disabilities are granted as service-connected. The cervical spine disability is denied.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, erectile dysfunction, sleep apnea, and pseudofolliculitis barbae as they are not related to the Veteran's service or any service-connected disabilities.,Service connection was also denied for increased ratings of the Veteran’s left and right knee disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that there is no nexus between the Veteran's in-service low back pain and his current condition. The evidence did not show continuity of symptoms or a diagnosis since discharge.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to engage and retain substantially gainful employment, as evidenced by her inability to perform physical or sedentary work due to chronic neck and back pain.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back condition, finding that there was no evidence linking his current disability to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his back and left knee disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than 40% for the back disability or more than 10% for the left knee disability.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, including post-traumatic arthritis and instability, is rated at 10 percent.,Service connection for cervical spine strain and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine are granted.

Service connection is granted for neck and back disabilities, as well as residuals from excision of a ganglion cyst on the right index finger. Service connection is also granted for post-fracture neuralgia of the left little toe.,The Veteran's claims are all supported by medical opinions linking her current conditions to her military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back condition, claimed as sciatica, and for bilateral hand tremor. The evidence did not support the claim that these conditions began during or were otherwise related to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lower back disability and left leg condition are related to his right ankle disability, but further examination is needed to determine if these conditions are secondary to service-connected disabilities. The acquired psychiatric disorder claim also requires a new examination as there were no diagnoses provided in the June 2013 VA examination.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbosacral spine was denied in a previous rating decision, as there was no evidence showing it was incurred or caused by service. The new evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate this claim.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for pulmonary fibrosis was denied because there is no evidence that the condition manifested during active service and is otherwise related to active service.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for uncommon toxic nervous system disorder was denied as there is no diagnosis of a presumptive disorder linked to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for lumbar spine strain prior to January 25, 2017 was denied. A rating of 20 percent was granted as of January 25, 2017 for the Veteran's lumbar spine strain. The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to January 25, 2017 was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back and neck conditions may be related to his military service, but additional evidence is needed to make a determination. The hearing loss disability also requires further examination due to its recent worsening.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a low back injury and left knee condition due to missing or destroyed service treatment records, and insufficient competent medical evidence on file. A VA examination is required.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability and lung disorder should be remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for a low back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and compensation are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The issues include right ear hearing loss, traumatic brain injury residuals, psychiatric disorders, lumbosacral strain, trochanteric bursitis, left ear hearing loss, deviated nasal septum, individual unemployability, and need for aid and attendance.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, claiming it was secondary to his bilateral knee condition. The evidence submitted did not provide new and material information that would allow the claim to be reopened.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right-shoulder disorder and lumbar-spine disorder after August 31, 2017 were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a disability evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his right-shoulder disorder or in excess of 10 percent for his lumbar-spine disorder.