Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine, bilateral lower extremity, and right thumb disabilities. The neck disorder, status post metacarpal phalangeal fracture of the right thumb, lumbar fusion with disc herniation, post laminectomy syndrome and lumbar stenosis, surgical scar, mid low back, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity L-5 radiculopathy are all remanded for further examination and rating considerations.

The Veteran's current degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is granted as service connected. The issues regarding bilateral knee disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities have been granted effective from April 10, 2014. The initial ratings for these conditions are also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar and cervical spine arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to in-service injuries and continuous post-service symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the nature and cause of the Veteran's current back disabilities, specifically whether they are related to in-service injuries or exposures.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability has been reopened and remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back condition, bilateral knee condition, and ischemic heart disease due to outstanding VA medical records and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has not found sufficient evidence to grant service connection for all issues. The bilateral elbow disability claim is denied as new and material evidence was submitted, while back and left hip disabilities are reopened due to new evidence. Service connection for these conditions secondary to a service-connected left knee condition is also denied.

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection of a low back disability was granted. The claims for service connection of neck injury residuals, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hip disability, and acid reflux were all granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or confine him substantially to his dwelling and immediate premises, thus the claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on need of aid and attendance is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right shoulder, back, and right knee disabilities. The initial rating for PTSD was granted at a 50% level effective November 13, 2018.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional information and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes, hypertension, and acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service onset or aggravation.,Service connection for right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, cervical spine disability, low back disability, hepatitis C, and tinnitus has also been denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, left shoulder disorder, back disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder, and headaches.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability, low back disability, and cervical spine disability. The case is being remanded to allow further development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative joint disease is being remanded due to allegations of worsening symptoms since the May 2017 examination.,Service connection for tingling and numbness (sciatic neuropathy) of both lower extremities is being remanded as there is no current diagnosis of sciatic neuropathy in the record.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board has found that a new VA examination is necessary to determine if his condition warrants an increased rating.

The Board has denied service connection for low back and cervical spine disabilities, finding that the current conditions are not related to the Veteran's in-service injury during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including PTSD, back disorder, skin disorder, bilateral shoulder disorder, neck disorder, upper extremity neuropathy, and left lower extremity neuropathy were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or service connection in all cases.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine and lower extremity radiculopathy were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to October 17, 2016, but granted a 20% rating thereafter.