Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for back, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has determined that more contemporaneous examinations are needed for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine, bilateral knee, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, and right foot plantar fasciitis disabilities. Additionally, the TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. The claim for special monthly pension benefits is also being remanded as there appear to be outstanding medical treatment records.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is calculated at 91 percent, which exceeds the required threshold for a TDIU. The RO must provide another VA Form 21-8940 to the Veteran and adjudicate his entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are not ready for final decision and requires additional development, specifically scheduling an informal conference with a Decision Review Officer (DRO).

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and low back disorder, as secondary to service-connected right knee disability. However, the claim for service connection for a bilateral lower extremity neurological disorder is remanded due to lack of an opinion on its etiology.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is related to his active service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and the need for further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and right leg radiculopathy, finding that there was no evidence of a direct relationship between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine disability as the evidence did not show a current disability or etiology related to in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, finding that there is no nexus between his current disability and either period of active duty. The evidence did not support a secondary service connection based on his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has denied reopening the claim of service connection for lumbar spine disability, but has remanded the issue of secondary service connection for peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities to include diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disorder as secondary to service-connected pes planus. The low back disorder claim is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome was denied. The cases of the low back disability, right knee chondromalacia patella, and left knee surgical scars are remanded due to lack of recent medical records. The case of the left knee chondromalacia patella with medial meniscus tear is also remanded as it involves a rating issue.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, as well as secondary service connection for radiculopathy of both upper and lower extremities. The Veteran's radiculopathy is also found to be related to his already service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for his cervical spine disability with degenerative disc disease is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease L5-S1 with herniated nucleus pulposus is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.