Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examiner's opinion regarding the Veteran's low back disability, which may be related to his active duty service or a verified period of ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA. Additional evidence and an updated treatment records are needed.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar spine disability due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The TDIU issue remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbosacral strain and cervical spine disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a causal relationship between these conditions and his active military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has denied service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the issue of service connection for moderate degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, residuals of a right eye injury, and intervertebral disc syndrome (formerly degenerative disc disease) of the lumbar spine due to insufficient evidence or need for additional examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection and TDIU due to missing VA examination reports and lack of consideration of lay statements regarding symptom onset.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is granted as it meets the criteria for presumptive service connection based on chronic symptoms in service and continuous symptoms since separation.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 30 percent for migraine headaches, effective October 4, 2005. The issue of service connection for DDD secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right neck disability is remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to radiation exposure, as well as other disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, bilateral ankle disability, bilateral knee disability, low back disability, erectile dysfunction (secondary to PTSD), and headaches (secondary to PTSD) are not related to service. The claims for these conditions have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder have all been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or diagnoses.,Service treatment records did not show any complaints, findings, or treatment related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that further assistance is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current low back disorder, which may be related to service. The case is therefore being remanded for a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for back disorder, right-knee disorder, and left-knee disorder as they are not related to active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a causal relationship between his current condition and active duty. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran’s low back disability is more likely due to normal aging rather than military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further clarification and additional opinions regarding whether the Veteran's scoliosis, pelvic obliquity or tilt, and cervical spine disabilities are related to his service-connected foot, knee, or lumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly her low back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy, render her unable to secure or follow substantial gainful employment. She is granted a TDIU effective February 13, 2015, and eligibility for specially adapted housing. The appeal seeking a special home adaptation grant is dismissed as moot.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine arthritis, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to a back injury sustained during his INACDUTRA in September 1991.

Service connection for hyperlipidemia, headaches, hyperthyroidism, depression, Peyronie's disease, colon polyps, West Nile virus, tinea, GERD, intestinal disorder (to include IBS and chronic diarrhea), back condition, hypothyroidism, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, coronary artery disease with myocardial infarction is denied.,Service connection for PTSD was awarded on February 13, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for migraine headaches has been dismissed. The claims for service connection for lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, diabetes mellitus, and arthritis are remanded.