Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back condition based on new and material evidence. The issue is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and SMC based on need for aid and attendance due to incomplete information in the VA examination reports, including lack of specific severity assessments for radiculopathy. The Veteran is also required to provide a completed VA Form 21-2680.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current low back disorder and his service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus or gouty arthritis of the big toe, as well as whether it is secondary to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for lumbar degenerative arthritis and right radiculopathy have been dismissed due to their death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for clothing allowances due to lack of evidence showing that his back brace or skin cream caused damage to his clothes, and because he did not use a right foot shoe lift.

The Veteran is granted a clothing allowance for the year 2012 based on use of bilateral knee braces. The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance based on use of low back and ankle braces is denied.

The Veteran is granted a 40 percent rating for lumbar degenerative disc disease with spondylosis prior to February 25, 2013. The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy was rated as non-compensable prior to November 20, 2017 and is now granted a 20 percent rating from that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU due to issues with the VA examinations, including failure to comply with 38 C.F.R. § 4.59 and Correia v. McDonald.

The Veteran is granted an annual clothing allowance for the 2014 calendar year due to her use of a back support for her service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his lumbar spondylosis with degenerative disc disease and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to new evidence indicating that his conditions may have worsened.

The Board has denied service connection for a low back disorder due to lack of evidence linking the current condition to service. The claim for residuals of cold injuries of the lower extremities, including tinea pedis and gout, is remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for annual clothing allowances due to insufficient evidence showing that his knee braces, back brace, or custom shoe insoles caused damage to his clothing.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar spine condition with intervertebral disc syndrome, an initial separate rating in excess of 20 percent for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his right knee condition with arthritis. Additionally, a TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a low back disability due to new evidence and inconsistencies in the medical records. The Veteran's assertions of continuity of symptoms since service are considered, along with VA examination findings.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, and acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD) due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.,For bilateral hearing loss, a VA examination is needed to assess whether the Veteran has a current disability and its etiology.

The Veteran is granted an eligibility percentage for educational assistance of 100 percent under the Post 9/11 GI Bill due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for left shoulder and ankle disabilities, as well as service connection for a low back disorder, was granted. The low back disorder is found to be secondary to the service-connected left knee and left ankle disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder, thoracolumbar spine disorder, and small bowel obstruction. The Veteran's VA treatment records from October 2014 to the present need to be obtained, as well as any private physician records that may exist.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, back disability, hypertension, and heart disability.,There was no evidence of a new or material condition that would warrant reopening the claims.