Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of lumbar spine degenerative arthritis due to conflicting evidence regarding whether a pre-existing condition existed prior to service and if it worsened during service.

The Veteran's appeals for compensable disability rating for allergic rhinitis and service connection for various bilateral and single joint conditions have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn his appeal.

The Board denied service connection for chronic bilateral hip disorder and shoulder disorder, as well as a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine disability. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims that his current conditions were related to his active service or secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to outstanding private treatment records and additional development of asbestos exposure during service.

The Veteran's service connection for a back disability is granted, and he is also granted a 100 percent rating for CAD from June 19, 2017. The issues of ratings in excess of 30 percent for CAD prior to June 19, 2017, and PTSD are remanded. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted in March 2015, effective from the date of his increased rating for lumbar spine disorder. Attorney fees are awarded based on past-due benefits resulting from this grant.

The Veteran's chronic allergic rhinitis is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for lumbar spine disability and hypertension are denied. The hypertension case is remanded for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine DDD and DJD, left hip trochanteric bursitis, and orchalgia status post vasectomy. The initial rating of 10 percent is granted from October 27, 2010.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and bilateral knee disorders due to inadequate examinations in August 2016. The Veteran is to be provided with new examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability and left sciatic nerve disability, finding no in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions. The Board also denied a compensable rating for his right knee scar.,Service connection was not granted as there is no evidence that the Veteran’s current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's lumbar facet arthropathy was rated at 10 percent prior to May 19, 2016. The Board found that the evidence supported a 20 percent rating due to flare-ups of pain and functional impairment. However, the TDIU claim is remanded as it has not been previously considered by the AOJ.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen her claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral leg disability and denied her claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability. The reopened claim is based on new evidence that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim, namely whether the Veteran’s claimed bilateral leg condition is related to active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back strain and associated radiculopathy, as well as for earlier effective dates for service connection and TDIU. The claims are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's back condition and diabetes mellitus, type II are granted service connection. The remaining issues of service connection for a bilateral foot condition, scar, sleep condition, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a low back condition and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the evidence did not support a link to active service or ACDUTRA.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and medical opinions regarding service connection for lumbar spine disability and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's earlier effective date claims for lumbar spine and lower extremity disabilities, as well as her service connection claims for a right shoulder disability (secondary to left shoulder) and a left eye disability. The issues of service connection for residuals of a head injury (to include headaches) and a neck disability were decided in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic lumbar strain is being remanded due to the need for a medical opinion regarding its relationship to his service-connected left knee degenerative arthritis and/or bilateral pes planus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that his current diagnosis of degenerative disc disease is not causally related to an in-service event or injury.,The Board also denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as there are no disabilities to preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension, headaches, and a psychiatric disability. The lumbar spine osteoarthritis case is still pending with an effective date issue.