Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded two issues: service connection for a low back disability and service connection for a skin condition of the bilateral feet and legs. The reasons given are that the VA opinions were not adequate due to lack of service records, and a new examination is needed.

The Board has remanded the case due to the appellant's incarceration, and a VA examination is needed to determine if his current back disorder is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical strain was granted with a 20 percent rating, while his claim for service connection for a mid/lower back condition was denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disorders, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that there is a need to verify the Veteran's correct claims number, request his service treatment records from NPRC and other appropriate entities, and re-adjudicate the claims. The appeal will be returned for further development.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for hypertension, acquired psychiatric disorder, back disorder, and left knee disorder. The evidence submitted since the October 1998 rating decision is new and material, thus allowing these claims to be reopened.

The Veteran's PTSD and back disability are granted as service-connected. The Board found that the current disabilities were caused by in-service events, with no evidence of pre-existing conditions or other theories of connection.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and he has other service-connected disabilities that meet the threshold for a TDIU. The appeal is granted as to both issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disability and related lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as a claim for a compensable rating for left foot strain. The AOJ is instructed to schedule VA examinations and complete an SSOC addressing these issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities have been denied as there is no evidence that warrants a higher rating based on current symptomatology.

The Veteran's appeals for eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing, service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, and hypertension are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including new VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, as she has the necessary education and experience for a sedentary job.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a back disability, left and right knee disabilities, bilateral hearing loss disabilities, and psychiatric disorders are all denied as they were not incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are not related to his service and are not otherwise causally or etiologically related to his service-connected lumbar spine disorder.,The Veteran's bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy is not related to his service and is not otherwise causally or etiologically related to his service-connected lumbar spine disorder.,Prior to April 30, 2019, the Veteran’s bilateral hearing loss was not manifested by more than Level II hearing impairment in either ear. After that date, it was not manifested by more than Level IV hearing impairment in either ear.,Beginning on May 1, 2019, the Veteran's right lower extremity sciatica was manifested by no more than moderate incomplete paralysis of the right sciatic nerve.,The Veteran’s left lower extremity sciatica is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher evaluation for his neurological disability and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The VA is instructed to obtain any outstanding treatment records, particularly those from Dr. W.T., and ask the Veteran to submit additional information regarding his education and work history.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD prior to May 16, 2018 is denied.,The Veteran’s claim for a compensable rating for his back scar is remanded.,The Veteran’s claim for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine with chronic lumbar strain is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, migraine headache disability, herpes disability, sleep disorder, athlete’s foot, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, low back strain disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, plantar fasciitis, and shin splints have been denied.,The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for his right and left eye disabilities due to incomplete information.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease and arthritis of the lumbar spine has been reopened. The Board finds that further development is necessary, including obtaining medical opinions on whether his lower back condition was aggravated by his knee disability or related to an in-service injury.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate examination report and a need for further development regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability.