Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee condition has been granted. The claims for PTSD, acquired psychiatric disorder (not to include PTSD), low back condition, left hip condition, and sleep condition are all remanded.,Service connection is denied for PTSD and the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is now rated at 10 percent, and his lumbar spine disability is now rated at 20 percent. The service connection for the right knee disability remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is denied as there is no current evidence of a diagnosed condition.,Service connection for rickettsial disease and typhus is also denied due to lack of documented diagnosis or symptoms.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including a thoracolumbar spine disability, prostate cancer, headaches, gastrointestinal disability manifesting in nausea and vomiting, and inability to conceive. These issues are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his lumbar spine disability and for entitlement to TDIU due to inadequate discussion regarding functional loss, including during flare-ups, and whether the abnormal gait caused by pain and poor propulsion factored into the assignment of the 10 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asthma, hearing loss, thoracolumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, left arm numbness, and headaches do not meet the criteria for service connection. The claims are being remanded to allow for further development.

The Veteran's back brace did not tend to wear out or tear his clothing, so he is denied a clothing allowance for the 2014 calendar year.

The Board denied service connection for low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to her in-service injury and is more likely due to degenerative disease.

The Board has denied service connection for a low back disorder and remanded the issue of service connection for GERD as secondary to PTSD with anxiety disorder NOS and depressive disorder NOS.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, heart disease, and increased rating for residuals of hepatitis with enlarged liver due to conflicting evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case for a retrospective opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's cervical spine disability from December 31, 1991 to June 16, 2004. The effective date and rating assignment remain pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back and cervical spine disabilities, as well as evaluations for retropatellar pain syndrome of both knees. The Veteran's claim is being reviewed to determine if there is new evidence that could reopen her case, and an additional examination will be conducted to assess the nature and severity of her current conditions.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for low back pain and denied service connection for lumbar strain.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot disability, back condition, and left knee degenerative arthritis due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including medical records from the Miami VA Medical Center. The reduction of the hiatal hernia rating is also being remanded. If the schedular criteria does not meet the requirements for a TDIU prior to January 31, 2013, the case will be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back condition due to it being related and/or caused by his service-connected left tibia fracture and right achilles tendon injury. The Board also found that a grant for the claimed left thigh condition is warranted as it was attributed to his lower back condition. However, the Board has remanded the issue of service connection for the Veteran's left hip condition due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration. The Veteran's low back disorder and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are being reviewed, but no specific service connection theory is provided.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the ratings and effective date for his service-connected disabilities, leaving only the lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine, intervertebral disc syndrome, and sacroiliac weakness.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome is granted. The claim for reopening of the lumbar spine disorder is also granted, but further development is needed to address the nature and etiology of any current lumbar spine disorder. The claim for service connection for seizure disorder remains pending.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a 40% rating from February 11, 2008 to April 20, 2018. The Board found that the Veteran met the criteria for this increased rating based on limitation of motion.