Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a back disability, but denied all other claims.,PTSD was previously denied and is not being reconsidered.

The Veteran's back disability is service connected as it resulted from an injury sustained during active duty.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability to include recurring PVCs has been reopened, but the Board finds that further development is needed as there are insufficient current medical records to determine if he currently has a heart disability related to his service. Other claims have also been remanded due to need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for stomach cancer, left and right ankle disabilities, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine are being remanded due to new evidence or clarification needed.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for tinnitus has been denied as no application was filed prior to February 18, 2015.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right shoulder disability is reopened based on new evidence provided by Dr. A.A.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral foot fungus disability is not reopened due to the lack of materiality of the submitted evidence.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for spine disability is reopened based on new evidence provided by Dr. A.A.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee disability is reopened based on new evidence provided by Dr. A.A.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right hand condition, refractive error and blepharitis (vision problems), bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine condition, lumbar spine condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, left hip condition, right hip condition, and psychiatric disorder. The decision also remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete VA examinations and conflicting opinions regarding service connection.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, as the current medical evidence does not provide sufficient information for an informed opinion.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a low back disability, left foot disabilities, and right knee disability (secondary to service-connected left knee disability), but denied these claims on their merits.

The Board has remanded the claims for herniated thoracolumbar disk, herniated cervical disk, and Parkinson's disease due to service connection. The issues are related to exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange), radiation exposure, and in-service injuries.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back condition, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis, finding it etiologically related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities not causing him to be in need of regular aid and attendance.

Service connection is granted for headaches, PTSD, and low back strain. Other issues are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability is remanded, and the issue of entitlement to a temporary total rating prior to October 14, 2015 and after November 30, 2015 is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability does not result in permanent loss of use of one or both feet, thus he is ineligible for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee status post total replacement, back condition, and left hip condition. The claims for right foot and left foot conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to determine the severity of his service-connected low back disability and whether any bilateral lower extremities peripheral neuropathy is secondary to that condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy prior to January 11, 2012, as well as a rating in excess of 40 percent for DJD of the lumbar spine for the period beginning November 25, 2008, are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.,The Veteran's service-connected DJD of the lumbar spine is also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal regarding service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and an initial rating for posttraumatic stress disorder has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to appellate review for the issues of service connection for PTSD, cirrhosis, Hepatitis C and follicular lymphoma.