Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's osteoarthritis and disc desiccation of the lumbar spine are related to his service, granting service connection for these conditions. The claim for a testicle condition was denied as there is no evidence of such a condition during the appeal period.

The Veteran's back disability, left knee disorder, and left arm tendonitis have been granted service connection. The Veteran is entitled to a separate rating of 10 percent for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity associated with her lumbar spine disability. She also received a 10 percent rating for her left knee disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a Board videoconference hearing. The claims for increased ratings and service connection remain pending.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar and cervical strains have not met the criteria for a higher rating. The PTSD has been rated appropriately, with no total occupational and social impairment prior to July 2, 2016, but with some impairment thereafter. The postoperative inguinal hernia does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim regarding whether the reduction in rating from 20 percent to 10 percent for service-connected DDD of the thoracolumbar spine is proper has been REMANDED due to issues with characterization of the issue, incorrect burden of proof placement, and inadequate SOC/SSOC.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his left knee, lumbar spine, and psychiatric disorders. The right knee rating issue will also be addressed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee, right carpal tunnel syndrome and cervical spine conditions are not related to his military service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has determined that the issues of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, entitlement to service connection for a back disability, entitlement to an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and entitlement to TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine is not manifested by any limitation of motion, muscle spasm, ankylosis or incapacitating episodes requiring bed rest prescribed by a physician. The Veteran does not have bilateral hearing loss disability that was incurred in service.,There is no evidence showing that the current bilateral sensorineural hearing loss disability is related to the Veteran's active military service or had its onset in the first post-service year.,The probative evidence of record shows that the Veteran's current tinnitus is not related to his active military service and is more likely due to his nonservice-connected hearing loss.,The probative evidence does not show a relationship between the Veteran's nummular dermatitis and service. The condition was present prior to service and no increase in severity during service has been shown.,The pre-existing nasal obstruction did not increase in severity during service, and the surgery conducted during service helped to correct and ameliorate the pre-existing nasal obstruction resulting in improved breathing; no resulting disability is shown.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluation for his service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain with radiculopathy is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of outstanding treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability. The Veteran's current right knee condition is related to his in-service injury, and the evidence supports this finding.

The Veteran's appeals seeking increased ratings for GERD and low back disabilities have been withdrawn.,A 10 percent rating is granted for the Veteran's residuals of a left fifth metatarsal fracture.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations of the Veteran's back, and further examination is required.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the service connection claims for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities. The Veteran's degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar and cervical spine are found to be at least as likely as not related to in-service injuries, with the onset occurring after separation from service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and VA treatment records. The Veteran's low back disability will be examined by a VA examiner to determine if it is related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing at his local RO. The issues are about service connection for low back disorder and reopening of a claim for left hip disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an examination. The issues are whether new and material evidence has been presented to reopen a claim of service connection for traumatic brain injury, and entitlement to service connection for a back disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and the provision of a supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, finding that new and material evidence was not received to reopen any of the previously denied claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and left shoulder disabilities, finding that there was no evidence to support a causal relationship between these conditions and his service-connected left knee disability.