Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's low back disability was restored to a 40 percent rating effective January 1, 2017. A higher rating of over 40 percent for the condition is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis of the low back. The issue of secondary service connection for bilateral foot condition is now at issue, as well as whether the Veteran's heart condition is related to an episode of syncope during service in May 1993.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and an acquired psychiatric disorder were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating in either case.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that new and material evidence supports a reopening of his previously denied claim. The Board also found that the Veteran's current low back disability is related to injuries sustained during active duty.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is remanded due to the need for additional development, including new VA examinations and consideration of extraschedular criteria.

The Board denied service connection for low back, left knee, right knee, and plantar fasciitis disabilities. The claim for eye disability (blurred vision) was also denied.,Service connection for sinus disability, pulmonary disability due to asbestos exposure, respiratory disability (residuals of pneumonia and restrictive lung disease), major depressive disorder, and PTSD were all denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to September 6, 2013 for his service-connected right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, but remanded it due to insufficient evidence. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are also remanded.

The Veteran's fracture with deformity, 4th digit, left hand is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's former position as a computer programmer with an Associate degree education level is no longer suitable due to excessive absences from work and school caused by service-connected migraine headaches. The decision grants reentrance into the VR&E program.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and requests for additional records, including from a 2005 back surgery and post-service chiropractic treatment. The Veteran needs to provide authorization for these records.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for cervical spine disability, secondary to a service-connected lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's appeal was previously denied due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the cervical spine disability is related to his service-connected lumbar spine condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and associated bilateral lower extremity neuropathy and/or radiculopathy are related to his military service, including his in-service duties as an aviation machinist mate. The VA examiner found that there is a 50% or greater probability that these conditions began during service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed low back, neck, and left hip disorders. The VA is required to provide a new examination to determine if these conditions are related to his service.

The petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for gout is denied.,The petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for lumbar spine disability is denied.,The petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension is denied.,The petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus is denied.,The petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for a disability claimed as 'arthritis throughout most of body' is denied.,The petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for asthma is denied.,The petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder, variously diagnosed and claimed as PTSD, is granted.,The petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea is granted.

Service connection is granted for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities, hypertension, back disorder, asthma, and skin disorder on a presumptive basis due to in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current low back disability, sciatica, and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for low back disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, and hemorrhoids due to outstanding private treatment records from Dr. S.J.S.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss.,Service connection is granted for a lower back condition and associated neurological abnormalities.

Your initial rating for status-post internal fixation with residual hardware and pain of the left fifth metatarsal has been granted at a 30 percent level. The other issues have been remanded.