Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, but granted service connection for degenerative arthritis and multi-level degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine.

The Board has denied service connection for prostate cancer due to radiation exposure and remanded the issues of service connection for a low back disorder and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his back disability and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and clarification of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a back disability, left ankle disability, and bilateral tinnitus due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The cases are being sent back for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate examinations and the need for addendum opinions regarding aggravation of disabilities by a service-connected right ankle disability.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and headaches are granted as secondary to service-connected conditions. The Veteran is also granted increased ratings for his left knee meniscal degeneration, left foot sprain, and acquired psychological disability.

The Veteran's low back disability, hypertension, and gout have been granted service connection. The Veteran is now receiving a 10 percent rating for his hypertension throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ureterolithiasis, right shin splints, hypertension, renal cyst, thoracolumbar strain/sprain with scoliosis, chondromalacia patella, status post right knee ACL surgery, and headache syndrome were denied. The Veteran was granted a 10 percent rating for his hypertension starting from August 2, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability and dismissed his claim for left knee disability.

The Board previously denied the Veteran's claims for clothing allowance for a back brace in 2014 and 2015. The Court has ordered remand due to insufficient explanation of the effects of the back brace on the Veteran's clothing.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected low back disabilities.,The Veteran's lumbar strain, muscle spasm, spondylosis and degenerative disc disease are granted a rating of 40 percent.,The Veteran's trochanteric bursitis of the right hip remains at a 20 percent rating.,The Veteran's limitation of motion of the right hip remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for low back strain, major depressive disorder and anxiety, and bilateral knee disorder due to inadequate examinations and incomplete opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's lumbar strain prior to January 20, 2017. The Veteran will need a retrospective medical opinion and consideration of an extraschedular rating.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with lumbar spondylosis (claimed as low back condition) was not incurred or aggravated by service, and is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for acne, bilateral hearing loss, or GERD at any point during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination for the service-connected low back disability, and a new examination is needed to evaluate the current severity of the Veteran's condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's back disorder is related to his service, including complaints of back pain and issuance of a back brace during service. The case needs further examination by an examiner.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is granted as service connected, with the Board finding that his current back disability is related to his in-service repetitive use over nineteen years of service.

The Board has dismissed the issues of increased disability ratings for lumbar spine and left ankle disabilities. The claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, and right ankle disabilities are remanded due to lack of evidence addressing their etiology.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of reopening service connection for bilateral ankle, knee, and back disabilities due to incomplete information from a VA provider.