Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and the Board denied an increased rating. The Veteran was also granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has accepted jurisdiction of the appeal for service connection for a back condition. The claim is being remanded to attempt to obtain any identified, outstanding private treatment records and to provide an addendum medical opinion.

The Veteran’s back condition, claimed as stiff neck, is not related to service or a service-connected disability.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity are not related to service or a service-connected disability.,The Veteran's right foot hallux valgus and plantar fascitis had their onset in service and are considered secondary to Raynaud’s syndrome.,The Veteran's left foot hallux valgus and plantar fascitis had their onset in service and are considered secondary to Raynaud’s syndrome.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine as secondary to flat feet with heel spurs and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity as secondary to degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran is unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, and the Board has granted a TDIU for the period prior to November 13, 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and denied service connection for an acquired mental health disorder (including depression and anxiety) and tinnitus. The lumbar spine disability is found to be aggravated by in-service injuries, while the other conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type II, recurrent strain with rotator cuff tendonitis of the left shoulder, tinnitus, right shoulder disability, back disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety and depression) have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen these claims.,The Veteran's claim for headaches secondary to service-connected degenerative changes of the cervical spine with cervical muscle strain has been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hip, low back, and left knee disabilities as secondary to his service-connected left foot disability due to inadequate VA examinations and opinions. The Veteran asserts these conditions are related to his service-connected left foot disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar spine disability, as well as his request for receipt of a clothing allowance and SSA disability benefits. The case is also remanded to obtain outstanding VA treatment records and any recent VA examination reports.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the unavailability of SSA records and the need to issue an SSOC addressing all issues.

The Board has remanded several claims due to the need for additional evidence and examinations. The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including residuals of left varicocelectomy, erectile dysfunction, back disability, and leg disabilities are being reviewed again.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral foot condition and low back condition due to inadequate opinions in the VA examinations. The Veteran is seeking service connection for her current foot conditions, which she believes are related to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and bilateral hip osteoarthritis, but has remanded the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorder) and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (major depressive disorder, lumbar strain, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy) have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's spouse requires regular aid and attendance due to multiple health conditions, including fibromyalgia, lumbosacral strain, cervicalgia, lower extremity radicular pain, right shoulder osteoarthritis, COPD, and anxiety disorder. The Board granted the claim for aid and attendance special monthly compensation (SMC) for care of the Veteran’s spouse.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar strain with spondylosis and associated bilateral radiculopathy due to inadequate examination findings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to inadequate opinions regarding his claimed conditions. The Veteran is to be provided with additional examinations by clinicians who have not previously examined him.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's claims, including VA treatment records and medical opinions regarding his lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, curved spine, bilateral lower extremity condition, COPD, and thyroid condition.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a back disability is granted. The Board finds that the evidence received since the September 2010 rating decision relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim, and thus grants reopening of the claim. However, the issue of whether the left rhomboid muscle strain aggravated the claimed back disability remains remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of his low back disability is denied as the earliest date entitlement arose was March 9, 2010.