Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded both claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee strain and degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine. The claims will be further evaluated after additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for lumbosacral DJD must be remanded due to incomplete development of her service records and lack of an opinion regarding whether her condition is related to active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current back condition is related to her in-service injury during active duty for training. The claim was reopened due to new and material evidence.

The reduction in the Veteran’s compression fracture of the first lumbar vertebra rating from 20 percent to 10 percent was proper and the appeal is denied.,The rating reduction for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome from 10 percent to noncompensable effective April 1, 2015, was not proper and is restored, effective from that date.

The Veteran's right shoulder impingement syndrome and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine have been rated based on their current severity.,The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including for his right shoulder impingement syndrome, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and depression.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spine strain is reopened, and the issue of whether his current degenerative arthritis with strain of lumbar spine is secondary to his right knee patellofemoral arthritis is remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, neck disorder, low back disorder, sleep apnea, alopecia, and headache disorder were not shown to be related to service. The appeals for these conditions are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back pain, tinnitus, and cervical spine arthritis. The Board found that there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year post-service, and that any current conditions were not related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for left knee, right knee, and back disabilities as the evidence did not show they were incurred during active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during service or within the applicable presumptive period, and his current condition is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral pes planus, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for low back strain, and initial compensable ratings for left thigh scar and eczema due to her failure to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a kidney disorder and rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine DJD due to lack of proper examination and opinion.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and cervical spine, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or exposure to environmental hazards in Southwest Asia. The Veteran's current diagnoses were attributed to known clinical diagnoses.

The Veteran's lumbar spine condition, migraine headaches, and unspecified anxiety disorder are granted service connection. Service connection for glaucoma and hypertension is denied due to lack of current diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and higher ratings for various disabilities due to incomplete records, including missing STRs and SPRs. The AOJ is instructed to obtain these records and attempt to verify the Veteran’s claimed stressors.,VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's right and left foot calluses.

The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated as 10 percent disabling prior to August 7, 2018 and 40 percent disabling from that date. The Veteran's chronic lumbosacral strain syndrome with facet joint atrophy of L3-L4, L4-L5, and L5-S1 and degenerative disc disease of L5-S1 is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The Board has determined that remand is necessary for the claims related to these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to her in-service duties as a jet engine mechanic and her post-service medical history of back pain.

The Veteran's low back disability was initially rated at 10 percent prior to April 2, 2018 and then increased to 20 percent thereafter. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any period.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's low back disorder is related to his military service. The VA will need to verify his reserve service dates and conduct a VA examination to determine if any pre-existing condition worsened during service.

The Board previously denied service connection for right shoulder, back, and neck disorders. The Court has ordered the remand of these issues due to an error in failing to evaluate the Veteran's assertion that his current disabilities are related to a fall during service.