Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for back and hip disabilities, as well as an increased rating for his left ankle disability. The claims are being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records, a vocational rehabilitation file, and medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee and ankle disabilities and his current back and hip conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including dental disorders and PTSD, were denied. The Board found no evidence of a qualifying dental disorder or current disability for the claimed conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a back disorder, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his military service. The claim was reopened due to new evidence showing hearing loss and a back disorder.

The Veteran's use of bilateral knee braces and a back brace for service-connected conditions is found to affect distinct types of clothing, warranting annual clothing allowances for the year 2015.

The Veteran's right knee arthritis and instability, low back strain with sciatic nerve involvement, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and status post removal of scalp tumor are all granted. The rating for low back strain is increased to 40 percent.

The Board denied service connection for left hip, left shoulder, low back, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service records did not show any symptoms or diagnoses related to the claimed conditions during or immediately after service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to a failure to comply with the duty to assist in obtaining VA medical records. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all outstanding VA treatment records and schedule the Veteran for examinations to address his current conditions, including headaches, skin condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back disorder and vasomotor rhinitis due to insufficient evidence. The VA examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to his military service, including exposure to chemicals during service.

The Veteran's left shoulder disorder, diagnosed as chronic bicipital tendonitis, was not manifested in service and is not related to his active service.,A chronic back disorder was not manifested in service; arthritis of the lumbar spine was not manifested in the first post-service year; and a current back disorder is not otherwise shown to be related to service or proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for all issues as the remand directives in the August 2018 have not been complied with. The Veteran's claims are being returned to the AOJ for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence and need further development. Specifically, additional records from Social Security Administration (SSA) and VA treatment records are required.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical neck condition, low back condition, and degenerative arthritis due to outstanding records not being associated with his electronic file.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease with herniated disc and left leg radiculopathy was denied in January 2011. The appeal is being remanded.,Service connection has been granted for tinnitus, but the issue of secondary service connection for erectile dysfunction (presumed to be secondary to PTSD) remains unresolved.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current or previously-diagnosed back disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder, left shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, neck disorder, right shoulder disorder, left hip disorder, right hip disorder, and right knee disorder. The Veteran's service treatment records indicate symptoms related to these conditions during his period of active duty.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his right shoulder and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as a TDIU claim, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings based on functional loss or pain.

The appeal for service connection for essential thrombocytosis is dismissed. The appeal for service connection for lumbar disc disease (back pain) is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his chronic lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis is being remanded due to the need for a new examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hip disability was denied in June 2012, and no new and material evidence has been received since then. The claims for increased ratings of degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy of the lower extremities (right and left), and PTSD have all been granted. A TDIU is also granted.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for PTSD, low back disorder, left hip disorder, and right hip disorder due to lack of credible supporting evidence verifying the occurrence of the Veteran’s claimed in-service stressor.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for right shoulder disorder, low back disorder, right knee disorder, and chronic sinusitis due to insufficient evidence in the record.