Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease, finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to his in-service back pain.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder (manifested by anxiety and sleep impairment), and sleep apnea as the conditions were not related to service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions including a chronic back condition, hypertension, diverticulitis, gastrointestinal bleeding, gastrointestinal polyps, hemorrhoids, constipation, urinary retention, and anemia. The reasons given were that there was no evidence of onset in service or relationship to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claim for respiratory condition was not addressed as it is unclear if it was part of the appeal process.

The Veteran's left leg radiculopathy is rated at 40 percent effective July 20, 2008. The Board has also remanded the issues of a higher rating for his lumbar spine condition and TDIU.

The Veteran's back disorder is rated at 20 percent, and his PTSD is rated at 50 percent. Both conditions are denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for adjustment disorder. The decision also granted a 50 percent rating for the adjustment disorder effective from August 1, 2016.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a back disability, but has remanded it due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology and whether it is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for Meniere’s disease, back disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disability due to outstanding records and need for further medical examination.

The Veteran's right wrist carpal instability status-post reconstruction is granted as secondary to his service-connected left lower extremity radiculopathy.,The Veteran’s scars over the right eye are not rated higher than 10 percent due to lack of characteristics of disfigurement and no painful or unstable scars.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability and denied the Veteran's request for an increased rating for his major depressive disorder. The Veteran's right knee condition was not found to be related to service, and his major depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent disabling.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the Appellant, and therefore the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss; increased ratings for Parkinson's disease and a low back disability; and TDIU prior to December 10, 2012 have been dismissed.

The Veteran's TBI and back disability are granted, with the TBI being granted service connection on a direct basis. The Back Disability case is remanded for further examination.

The Board denied service connection for right ankle, low back, and bilateral knee disabilities due to lack of qualifying active duty service during the claimed periods.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to missing documents and outstanding VA and private treatment records. The Veteran's periods of service need to be verified, and any payment or reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses needs to be reviewed.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent prior to December 12, 2017 and granted a 40 percent rating effective from that date.,The Veteran also received a grant of TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's right hip disability, right leg shortening, and their relationship to his service-connected left knee and ankle sprain/strain.

The Veteran's low back disability is now rated at 40 percent effective March 3, 2010. Other claims for increased ratings and service connection are also granted.

The Board denied service connection for osteoporosis and TDIU, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for osteoporosis. The Veteran's October 2014 statement expressing disagreement with the denial of TDIU was not timely.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's low back and psychiatric disorders are related to her service-connected bilateral knee disorder, but more evidence is needed for a definitive opinion.