Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition, finding that his pre-existing back condition did not worsen during service and was not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pes planus, lumbar degenerative disc disease, tinnitus, and right-ear hearing loss was received on November 28, 2014. The Board denied the request for an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine is denied. A higher initial disability rating of 10 percent for hypertension is granted, but no higher. The claims for left lateral epicondylitis and laceration scar on the vertex of the scalp are both denied.

The claim for service connection of a lower back disability has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is being remanded for further evaluation, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the claims, and there is no current disability or relationship between any claimed conditions and service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for hammertoes and lumbar spine disability due to conflicting evidence and lack of a definitive opinion on whether these conditions are related to his service-connected pes planus.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) because the Veteran was able to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to May 30, 2009.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine fracture.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an upper back disability, a right knee disability, and a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis. The Board found no current disabilities related to these conditions.

The Board dismissed all claims for service connection and rating increases, except for the TDIU claim which was granted effective April 15, 2015.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD and insomnia has been denied. The Veteran is also not entitled to increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability or coccygeal fracture residuals.,His bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy issues are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient or speculative opinions provided by VA examiners. The issues include PTSD, cold injury residuals of the feet, left ear hearing loss, low back disability, right wrist disability, and hypertension.

The Veteran's PTSD remains at a 70 percent rating, recurrent sinusitis was granted service connection, and other issues were remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a lower back condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to provide the Veteran with appropriate VA examinations.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various disabilities, including joint and muscle pain, back disability, loss of vision, tinnitus, fatigue, weakened immune system, condition manifested by bruising, memory loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's representative requested SSA records and VA treatment records from January 2000 to the present.

The Veteran's right shoulder disorder and lumbar strain were denied service connection. The decision also states that the effective date for the grant of service connection for a lumbar strain is November 19, 2013.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD was reopened, but his cervical spine disability remains at a 30% rating.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a back disability and remanded the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, GERD, gastritis, chronic sinus congestion and allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle disorder, left knee disorder, and lumbar spine disorder are all remanded. The denial of the claim for left knee disorder is final due to lack of evidence within one year of service.

The Board has ordered further examination and development for the Veteran's claims related to his lumbar spine and left knee disabilities, as well as his TDIU claim. The remand is due to inadequate previous examinations that did not include full range of motion testing.