Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar strain, finding that there is no evidence showing a current disability and concluding that his current condition is not related to active service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to the need for further examination considering the Veteran's in-service paratrooper duties.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's low back disability and his service. The case will be sent for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's benefits were terminated due to his bank account being closed for fraudulent activity. The Board found this termination improper and restored the benefits.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for intervertebral disc disease of the lumbar spine from March 20, 2013 and entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for intervertebral disc disease from March 2, 2015 due to insufficient medical evidence. A new examination is required.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete service treatment records and outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran is presumed to have Gulf War exposure.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for COPD was reopened and granted, effective December 17, 2013.,An earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy is denied.,A TDIU is granted.,The Veteran’s lumbar spine disability remains rated at 20 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, neck disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted in part. Service connection has been established for left shoulder condition, cervical spine condition (claimed as cervical spondylosis and stenosis), lumbar spinal stenosis, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, peripheral vestibular disorder, dizziness, obstructive sleep apnea, cardiovascular disease, headache condition, left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, and service connection has been reopened for alcoholism and drug abuse. Other claims have been denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder was reopened, and the claim for sleep apnea was granted. The initial compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to a lack of a VA examination addressing the etiology of his back condition. The Veteran is also required to provide any outstanding medical records related to his claimed disability.

The Board granted an extension of a temporary total rating for convalescence from July 1, 2012 to September 30, 2012 following March 2012 lumbar spine surgery. The appeal is denied beyond this period.

The Veteran's claims of increased ratings for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with IVDS and arthritis, PTSD, right lower extremity peripheral radiculopathy, and left lower extremity peripheral radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and the potential existence of outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's combined disability rating of 70 percent from August 15, 2011 meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU rating. However, the Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support entitlement to a TDIU rating due to the cumulative functional impact of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are necessary to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine, right knee, and right ankle disabilities. The claims for increased ratings and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remain pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current thoracolumbar spine disorder is related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's low back disability is caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee strain with osteoarthritis and/or residuals of fractured right tibia. Additional evidence and an updated opinion are needed.

The Board denied service connection for scoliosis of the thoracolumbar spine as it determined that the Veteran's pre-existing congenital defect did not worsen during his active service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to missing service treatment records and personnel records, including those related to a 1995 in-service low back injury. The Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is being reviewed.

The petition to reopen the previously denied claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and muscle spasms is granted.,The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for a low back disorder is denied.