Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative discopathies, L3-L4 and L4-L5 is denied. The issue of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 20 percent disabling for his right knee condition is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for renal cell carcinoma and lumbar spine disability as secondary to renal cell carcinoma, both found to be related to exposure at Camp Lejeune. The decision is based on the presumption of exposure due to contaminated water.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for right wrist pain, lumbosacral strain, colds, upper respiratory infections (claimed as sinus disorder), and bunions with hallux valgus deformity, partially compensated flat feet. The claims are being remanded due to a lack of VA examinations addressing these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, left foot, chronic fatigue syndrome, and obstructive sleep apnea disabilities. The claims for seizure disorder and blackouts/convulsions have been reopened.,Service connection was also granted for chronic sinusitis and lung cancer.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The cases of lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, bilateral foot disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and headaches are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder other than PTSD, depressive disorder, and a psychiatric sleep disorder is granted.,Service connection is also granted for the lumbar spine disorder. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the current lumbar spine disorder is related to the Veteran's in-service low back pain.

The Veteran's back, right knee, and left knee braces did not tend to wear out or tear his clothing, so he is denied annual clothing allowances for the 2015 calendar year.

The Board has decided to remand several claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates, including those related to the Veteran's back disability, knee disabilities, foot disabilities, migraines, TDIU, and DEA.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder and bilateral knee disorder, but has remanded them due to insufficient evidence. The claim for increased evaluation of left shoulder strain and TDIU is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis B and C, low back disability, sleep apnea, and hematuria have been granted. The heart disability claim is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the remaining claims of low back disability, bilateral shoulder and knee disabilities, and skin disability due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound due to a lack of an appropriate VA examination. The examiner must clarify if the Veteran is limited in his ability to bathe and toilet as a result of service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, chronic gastritis, flat feet, left foot heel spur, right foot heel spur, bilateral plantar fasciitis, cervical strain with degenerative arthritis, lumbosacral strain, left ankle disability (status post left ankle fracture, status post open reduction internal fixation with degenerative arthritis), right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome. The claims were remanded for additional examinations and to obtain updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40% effective December 1, 2008. The right knee disability remains at a 10% rating.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease/degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with spondylosis and lordosis has not resulted in limitation of motion to a degree warranting an increased rating, and therefore his claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent is denied.

The Veteran's back condition is rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The PTSD claim has been granted with a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions and disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disability, erectile dysfunction, and acquired psychiatric disability (anxiety disorder), as well as his service-connected foot disabilities and sleep disorder. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional evidence, including VA and private treatment records, and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder arthritis, bursitis, tendonitis, bone spurs of the cervical spine, herniated disc of the lumbar spine, DJD of the left knee, residuals of a head injury with concussion/TBI, migraine headaches, and Alzheimer's disease and memory loss. The Veteran withdrew his appeal for these issues during a videoconference hearing.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection of a lower back condition. The case is remanded for further development regarding other issues including increased rating for migraine headaches and left ear hearing loss.