Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that there was no evidence of chronicity or aggravation since service discharge. The Board also found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for an initial compensable rating for amputation of left index finger with re-attachment and residual scar, as his symptoms were not severe enough to warrant such a rating.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for headaches was not addressed by the Board.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examination and opinions, as well as new medical evidence of record. The Veteran needs an additional VA examination to address her claims.

The Veteran's service-connected diffuse lumbar spondylosis and multi-level disc protrusion at L3-L4 are not manifested by unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine or incapacitating episodes of IVDS with a total duration of at least six weeks during a 12-month period, so his rating remains at 40 percent.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was previously rated at 10 percent prior to February 16, 2016. Since that date, he is now rated at 20 percent for this condition.

The Board has remanded the cases due to missing service treatment records and a need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's back disability.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded to the Director of Compensation and Pension Services for extraschedular consideration due to his service-connected low back condition preventing him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an unspecified right foot disorder was denied as the evidence did not show a current disability. The claim for service connection of low back pain, related to his service-connected knee disabilities, was granted.,Service connection is established for low back pain due to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate and requires further development to determine if the Veteran's claimed conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and a right lower extremity nerve disorder, finding that these conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disorder and insomnia due to the need for additional medical examination and records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further evaluation regarding his entitlement to higher levels of SMC and a rating increase for his residual left knee injury. The Board found that he does not meet the legal criteria for SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(o) based on the lack of anatomical loss or use in his feet, hands, or eyes.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and a psychiatric disorder due to new evidence submitted since the final denial of these claims. The claim for an effective date prior to November 29, 2012, for nonservice-connected disability pension benefits is also remanded.,A VA examination was conducted for both conditions but did not address all diagnoses of record and failed to adequately explain why a fall in service could not cause the current disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's shoulder, neck, lumbar back, and right knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during active service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is being remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied, and the Board has remanded his claim of a back disability.

The Veteran's post-concussion headaches are rated at a 10 percent evaluation. The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for thoracolumbar spine, right shoulder strain, and cervical strain.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical records and an examination to determine if the Veteran's current lower back condition is related to his service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for sleep apnea, left carpal tunnel syndrome, right forearm and hand neuropathy, bilateral hearing loss, thoracolumbar spine disability, and left lower extremity sciatic nerve disability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded several claims due to the need for additional verification of service records, particularly those related to Army Reserve and National Guard service.

The Board has determined that there are missing records pertinent to the Veteran's claims for service connection, and therefore, these cases are being remanded for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder as secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disorder.