Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability was reopened, granted. The right knee disability is related to his service-connected right leg fracture residuals and granted. Service connection for left hip disability and sleep apnea were denied. A compensable rating of 10% was assigned for the residuals of fracture in the right leg.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate reasons and basis for their determinations, requiring further development including VA examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a neck condition and a low back condition, finding that there is no competent medical evidence establishing a causal connection between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for Special Monthly Compensation based on Aid and Attendance due to additional development being necessary.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disorders, as well as tension headaches and shoulder disorders secondary to a cervical spine disorder. The evidence did not show any in-service injury or illness that caused these conditions.,There is no indication of arthritis or other chronic diseases within one year post-service, making the presumption of service connection unavailable.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service. The skin cancer case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding potential exposure to herbicides during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing service records, particularly those related to Active Duty Training and Inactive Duty Training.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee disabilities and a low back disability, finding no probative medical evidence linking these conditions to service or the presumptive period after discharge.,Service connection was not granted as there is no credible evidence of in-service injury or disease that led to current diagnoses.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development and an addendum opinion regarding service connection for back and neck conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain has not resulted in limitation of forward flexion of his thoracolumbar spine greater than 60 degrees, and the combined range of motion was not limited to 120 degrees or less. The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The appeal was also remanded for further action on several issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back condition and right knee condition have been remanded due to the need for further development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU for the period prior to September 14, 2017 due to his service-connected disabilities.,As of September 14, 2017, the issue of TDIU is moot as the Veteran's combined schedular rating is now at 100 percent.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's back, right leg, and right foot disorders as there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and hypersensitivity from reconstructive jaw surgery, finding that the evidence did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's service connection claims for low back disability, frostbite of the left and right great toes were denied. The TDIU claim was also denied as his disabilities did not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to December 23, 2014 for service connection and secondary service connection have been denied as the Veteran did not express an intent to reopen his claim or file a new claim prior to that date.

The Veteran's lumbar muscle strain with degenerative disc disease, left ankle sprain with hair line fracture, and pseudofolliculitis barbae have all been granted service connection.,Service connection for anxiety depression with psychotic features to include alcohol and drug abuse is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss has been denied.,Issues related to groin strain with right testicular pain, a right leg condition associated with groin strain, breathing problems, sleep apnea, acid reflux (GERD), and low back disability have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for thoracic scoliosis and low back strain, left hip disability, right hip disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, chronic sinusitis, chronic rhinitis, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to concerns about incomplete information or bias in the previous VA examinations.