Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for lower back disability, shaving rash, left eye disability (pinguecula), and skin disability. The evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities or a link to military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of a rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar spine disability and a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete examinations and lack of relevant SSA records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his hiatal hernia, GERD, and sinus conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent effective from February 23, 2012. The decision grants a higher rating for the IVDS with bulging disc condition.

The Board has ordered the VA to attempt to contact the Veteran and ascertain whether she wishes to continue her appeals. If she does, the VA will provide her with copies of previous correspondence and allow for further development before re-adjudicating the claims.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection, including for loss of energy and fatigue, memory loss, a cervical spine condition, back disability, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity. The claims are being returned for additional development.

The Veteran's right knee disability is being remanded for further examination and opinion.,Service connection has been granted for left shoulder and lumbar spondylosis disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a back condition, and bilateral knee conditions have been reopened. However, the Board finds that there is no evidence to support these claims as they did not originate during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied in May 2010 due to lack of current diagnosis and no established link with service. New evidence submitted since then does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied in May 2010 based on a finding that his tinnitus is not related to service. No new evidence received since then establishes a link between current tinnitus and service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disability, bronchial asthma, and lung disorder other than bronchial asthma due to new evidence received since the last decision.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to her active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been granted. The effective dates are not specified as the appeals were remanded.,A claim for hypertension was also remanded, but no effective date is provided.

All appeals related to service connection and effective dates have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since December 3, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction were denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,Claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine disorder, left knee condition, right ankle disability, GERD, migraine headaches, and acquired psychiatric disorder were also denied.

The claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability has been reopened and granted. The claims for left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, left hip condition, and left leg and knee condition have all been denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a higher initial rating of 70 percent. The low back disability for the period prior to October 1, 2010 is remanded due to inadequate examination. The right knee disability is also remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connection is established.,Service connection for a bilateral hip disability is denied due to lack of in-service injury or chronicity.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The remaining issues of service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and lumbar spine disorder due to a lack of an opinion regarding whether these conditions were aggravated by active duty from October 2016 to September 2018.