Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as he has secured and follows a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for new examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected neck disability and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine and right hand disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess current severity.

The Veteran's back condition, osteoarthritis of the hips, knees, ankles, and feet were not shown as chronic in service or within a presumptive period. The disabilities are not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,Service connection for Parkinsonism disease is denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran has a low back disability related to his service-connected cervical spine disability, as well as to assess the current severity of his neck disability. The cases are not about service connection at all.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate examination findings and the need for additional information from the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The issues include bilateral plantar fascitis, right groin strain, left knee disability, right knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and atrophy of the left kidney with cyst.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability evaluation for his back condition is dismissed. The effective date of service connection for degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine, remains January 27, 2012.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including left knee disability, right knee disability, right hand/finger disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), back disability, left upper extremity neuropathy, right upper extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy, and right lower extremity neuropathy. The Board has also determined that additional development is needed to address these claims.

The Veteran's lumbar DDD is rated at 20 percent, and the initial 20 percent rating for left lower extremity neuropathy is granted. The appeal regarding an increased disability rating for lumbar DDD is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability resulted in an abnormal gait that aggravated his lumbar spine arthritis, leading to the grant of service connection for lumbar spine arthritis on the basis of aggravation. The low back disability caused by the right knee disability is also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, diagnosed as DDD, stenosis, and IVDS, is at least as likely as not related to his in-service injury while lifting weights. As such, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low-back condition and a neck condition, finding that there was no credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,For tinnitus, the Board also denied an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent, stating that the current rating adequately compensates the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back, right knee, and right shoulder conditions. The Veteran also had a claim for service connection for a right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy which was previously adjudicated as numbness and tingling or right upper extremity.

The Veteran's low back disability, left and right sacroiliac joint disabilities are currently rated at 10 percent each. The Board found that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of her service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for Degenerative Disc Disease and remanded the total disability based on individual unemployment claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability and an increased rating for lumbar strain with intervertebral disc syndrome is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection for right leg pain, claimed as secondary to a lumbar spine disability.,Service connection for a lumbar spine disability was denied because there is no evidence of an in-service injury and no nexus between current symptoms and active service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding increased ratings for service-connected lumbar spine and eye disabilities as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.