Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render her in need of regular assistance from another person for daily activities or to protect herself from hazards, thus denying her claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including lumbar spine, right wrist, left leg, right leg, left elbow, and right elbow disabilities. The appeals are being remanded to obtain additional medical examinations.,The Veteran was not provided with VA examinations for his claims of service connection for a sleep disorder, diabetes mellitus, cervical spine disability, bilateral foot disability, bilateral hip disability, right knee disability, and bilateral shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, including a back disorder, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity and bilateral lower extremities, erectile dysfunction, and headache disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and genital herpes need to be remanded due to new evidence received after previous decisions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disorder and remanded it for further development. The issues of service connection for right hip and left knee disorders, as secondary to the claimed back condition, are also being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a low back condition, finding that the Veteran's current degenerative arthritis of the spine was not incurred in or caused by his military service.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is not manifested by nasal polyps, greater than 50 percent obstruction of the nasal passage on both sides or complete obstruction on one side. The Veteran’s gender dysphoria warrants a 50% evaluation.,The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of right ankle disability and has not had one at any time during the pendency of the claim or recent to the filing of the claim. The Veteran's left ankle condition is remanded for clarification and medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and treatment records, requiring further evaluation of the Veteran's low back strain with osteoarthritis of the facet joints.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) based on new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims were previously denied due to lack of current disabilities, but with the submission of new evidence, the claims are now reopened and granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than November 13, 2003 for the grant of service connection for a low back disorder. The case is remanded to obtain outstanding medical records and clarify who provided physical therapy for the Veteran's low back disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for back pain was reopened, and the Board found that his current thoracic restriction and lumbosacral strain were incurred in the line of duty during INACDUTRA. Service connection is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches, to include as secondary to a cervical spine/upper back disability on a substitution basis. Service connection was denied for the cervical spine/upper back disability.

Service connection for a lumbar spine disability is granted.,Service connection for a neurological disability of the right lower extremity is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to an administrative error and will provide a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) once the claims are adjudicated.

The Board has denied service connection for a low back disability due to the lack of evidence of a current diagnosis. The cases of bilateral foot and hip disabilities, as well as PTSD, are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the appellant's periods of active duty and reserve service, as well as her claimed injuries. The VA is instructed to verify all periods of ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA, and schedule a VA examination to determine if the lumbar spine disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that it is related to military service. The claim was reopened due to new and material evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's service connection claim for lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion from a VA clinician regarding whether his current condition is related to his in-service injury and if so, whether it began during service or within one year of discharge.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's current lower back and neck disorders are related to service.