Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted service connection. The claims for acquired psychiatric disorder, thoracolumbar spine disorder, and right knee disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a retinal tear of the right eye is denied as there is no current disability and no evidence of an in-service injury or disease.,Service connection for hearing loss of the left ear is granted due to credible reports of noise exposure during active duty and currently diagnosed hearing loss.

The Veteran's right wrist tendonitis has been granted a 10% initial rating, effective prior to January 5, 2017.,Prior to April 30, 2016, the Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a 20% initial rating. From April 30, 2016, his radiculopathy and sciatica of the left lower extremity were granted a 20% initial rating.,From April 30, 2016, the Veteran's radiculopathy and sciatica of the right lower extremity was granted a 20% initial rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee, left wrist, and lumbar spine disabilities due to new evidence submitted since previous denials. However, it is not granted as these conditions are not found to be related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable evaluation of his scar, residual of back surgery is dismissed. Service connection for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) is granted. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected thoracic degenerative disease and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine remains pending.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee and upper respiratory conditions. The lower back and foot disabilities are denied as there is no medical evidence linking them to service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including back disorder, bilateral lower extremity disorder, bilateral upper extremity arthritis, eye disorder, tinnitus, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, erectile dysfunction, and headaches. The evidence did not support a link between these conditions and active duty.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine is remanded due to the possibility that his condition may have worsened since his last VA examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic low back strain due to new and material evidence. However, the issue is remanded as the VA examination was inadequate.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is granted effective May 26, 2010. The Veteran's claim for service connection for shortness of breath is dismissed. The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches, including as secondary to his service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain, is remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for left wrist, right wrist, and back disabilities due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial. However, these claims are still pending as they have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations. The hearing loss claim is also being remanded as the Veteran did not appear at her scheduled VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back, right hip, and left knee disabilities due to their relationship with his service-connected right ankle arthritis. The VA will provide new examinations to assess these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and a right foot disability, finding that the current disabilities are not related to service or any service-connected conditions.,Service connection was denied as there is no evidence of chronicity or continuity of symptomatology after discharge.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, hernia disability, and left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome due to incomplete examination reports and lack of consideration of relevant STRs.

The Board denied service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and depression, finding that the Veteran's current conditions were not incurred in or caused by active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disability, an acquired psychiatric disability, drug and alcohol abuse as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disability, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The issues are inextricably intertwined with each other.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board is remanding these issues to obtain additional medical opinions and examinations.,The Veteran's secondary service connection claim for migraines has also been remanded.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of depression associated with lumbar strain was granted. His gastritis, claimed as stomach condition and reflux associated with lumbar strain, is now rated at 40% from May 21, 2014, and the earlier effective date for this rating is being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting opinions and the need for further examination regarding the Veteran's back condition, which may be related to her service-connected bilateral knee disability.