Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has restored a 20 percent disability rating for the service-connected lumbar spine disability and denied an increased rating for hepatitis C.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issues of service connection for low back problems and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for a back disorder was denied as there is no current evidence of a diagnosed condition.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder as the evidence does not show it was incurred in or related to active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of back, bilateral knee, hearing loss, and tinnitus disorders have been denied. The effective date for the current rating of 50% for PTSD is April 4, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease was denied. Service connection for lumbago with degenerative disc disease (low back disability) was granted.,Several other claims, including those for hearing loss, tinnitus, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, hypertension, acid reflux, erectile dysfunction, and psychiatric disorders were remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for an orthopedic back condition and bilateral hip condition have been denied as the evidence does not establish that these conditions are related to his military service or a pre-existing condition.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and bilateral eye condition are granted service connection. The lumbar spine disability, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded for further examination and opinion. The dermatitis is also remanded for a VA examination.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, left shoulder, right shoulder, elbow, ankle, hip, and knee have been granted initial ratings from November 1, 2011 to March 25, 2018. The rating for the lumbar spine was increased to 20% effective March 26, 2018.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issues of service connection for low back disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and headaches (claimed as migraines).

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and correctly decide the Veteran's claims for service connection, including private treatment records from various doctors and Social Security Administration disability benefits documents.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to new evidence being added to his file and the need for a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection and increased disability ratings as they have been resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his lower extremities, heart, and lumbar spine conditions, make it impossible for him to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were previously denied in September 2012, but new evidence was submitted since then. However, this evidence did not provide a medical nexus between the claimed disabilities and active service.,VA found that there is no relationship between the Veteran’s current conditions and his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for cervical spine condition, thoracolumbar spine condition, hypertension, GERD, depression, and prostate problems. These issues are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated as 10 percent disabling prior to November 15, 2011 and 40 percent thereafter. The Veteran contends that his disability warrants an initial evaluation in excess of these ratings. He also asserts that his bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are more severe than the current 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied service connection for left shoulder disability and remanded the issues of service connection for low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him.