Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to an in-service injury. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran’s current back disability is not related to the 1966 lumbar contusion he suffered during service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine stenosis with degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate for the entire appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability, and a VA examination is needed.

The Veteran's appeals for posttraumatic stress disorder and back disability were dismissed due to his death during the appeal process.

The Veteran's right hip trochanteric bursitis and degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine are granted with specific evaluations. The right ankle sprain is not compensable.

The Veteran's primary insomnia and osteoarthritis of the thoracolumbar spine are both rated at 30 percent, but a higher rating of 70 percent is granted for primary insomnia. The osteoarthritis case is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disorder, finding that there is no credible evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a neck disorder, finding no evidence of in-service injury or chronic symptoms. The Veteran's psychiatric disorder is rated at 30 percent.,For the entire rating period on appeal from December 19, 2014, the criteria for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for the service-connected psychiatric disorder have not been met.

The Board has denied service connection for a dental disorder due to lack of evidence showing the Veteran had a current compensable dental condition. The Board also remanded issues regarding service connection for lumbar spine and saliva gland disorders, as there is insufficient evidence on record to determine if these conditions are related to active service.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, and right shoulder disabilities as there was no evidence of a nexus to service or a presumption of disease due to exposure. The Veteran's current conditions were found not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on his service-connected left shoulder, lumbar spine, left hip, and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The Veteran will be given another opportunity to present for these exams.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, lumbosacral strain, bilateral hearing loss, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, feet disorder, sleep apnea, and vestibular disorder have been denied.,An effective date prior to January 4, 2016, for the award of service connection for these conditions has also been denied.

The Veteran's appeal regarding a rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals, injury low back, with degenerative arthritis is denied. The case is remanded for further examination and consideration of the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease, left knee.

The Board has determined that new and relevant service treatment records were not previously considered, and thus the claim for service connection will be reconsidered on the merits. The Veteran is also required to provide information about any private health care providers who have treated his back.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to inadequate VA assistance and potential extraschedular consideration. The issues are related to residuals of a retained foreign body in the neck with degenerative disc disease, lumbosacral strain, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral eye disability due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for a back disability and neurological symptoms was denied. The rating assigned is 20 percent, which corresponds to the current level of disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy, increased rating for lumbar spine disability, and entitlement to special monthly compensation on and after May 1, 2010; and total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and the residuals of a stroke. The claims for lumbar spine disability, neck disability, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to issues with the adequacy of the examination findings and the need for a new VA examination.