Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) as new and material evidence was not received, and there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for lower back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical records and a need for an additional VA examination regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of service connection for back disability was granted. Service connection for major depressive disorder, secondary to service-connected left ankle status post old healed avulsion chip fractures, is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, nerve damage, hypertension, headaches, obstructive sleep apnea, a bilateral eye disability; and a right shoulder disability have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back disability and left hip disability, as well as the issue of whether the reduction from 20 percent to 10 percent rating for right knee disability was proper. The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on need of aid and attendance and total disability rating based on individual unemployability are also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder and upper and lower extremity neuropathy, finding no evidence of such conditions in service or related to service.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypothyroidism and irritable bowel syndrome were denied due to her failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's back disability, specifically his service connection claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is related to his in-service back injuries, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the current condition is not causally related to service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's cervical facet arthropathy at C3-4 is granted service connection as a presumptive condition. Service connection for cervical degenerative disc disease is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her lumbar spine disability prior to January 6, 2017 was denied as the evidence did not show forward flexion of less than 30 degrees or unfavorable ankylosis. Since January 6, 2017, the claim was also denied because there is no unfavorable ankylosis shown.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence in some cases and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for MDD, low back disability, and LLE radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The Veteran is also having his TDIU claim deferred until final disposition of the rating claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his back condition and arthritis of the left humeral head with rotator cuff tear are being remanded due to a failure to appear at a scheduled hearing, and because additional development is needed.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connection due to in-service noise exposure.,Service connection for a lumbar spine disability, including disc disease, is denied because the condition did not manifest during service and there is no evidence of an in-service injury or event. The current condition is related to post-service injuries.

The Board has found that the Veteran's service-connected surgical scars, lumbar spine disability, and left shoulder disability are not rated appropriately. The claims for increased ratings are being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding treatment records and procedural errors. The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his low back disability will be reconsidered after obtaining all relevant medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for TMJ disorder, hearing loss, tinnitus, and a back disorder due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for his claimed conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that symptoms were not chronic in service and continuous since service separation. The Board also found that the condition did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of service separation and was not otherwise incurred or caused by service.