Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for thoracic kyphosis, thoracic scoliosis, lumbar lordosis, and lumbar scoliosis to the left as these conditions were noted at entry into service. The Veteran's pre-existing back disorders did not increase in severity during his military service. Service connection was also denied for psoriasis due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Board is remanding the claims for service connection and initial ratings for various conditions due to additional VA outpatient medical records being added to the file since the last adjudications in March 2015. These records are pertinent to all issues on appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for gout of the left foot, an initial compensable rating for hypertension, and a compensable initial rating for residual scar, lumbar microdiskectomy. The appeal was remanded for additional development regarding the Veteran's claim for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a 40 percent rating effective January 3, 2018. The condition is currently rated as 40 percent disabling.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, lumbar spine, right hip, and right hand disabilities due to insufficient development. The claims are also being remanded for clarification on whether the Veteran's headaches are secondary to his service-connected GERD.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for hypertension and granted service connection for a low back disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), but remanded the claims for service connection for neck disability and secondary service connection for hypertension.

The claim for service connection for a back condition is dismissed, and the case is remanded for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, but remanded the issue of service connection for shin splints (stress fractures of the shins).

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for lower back disability, left shoulder disability, and right shoulder disability. The Veteran's anxiety disorder was granted service connection with an effective date of November 15, 2012.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle, back, neck, and left knee disorders as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a relationship to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and an in-service motor vehicle accident. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is related to his active duty service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any back disability, including whether it is related to service. The appeal will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for initial ratings in excess of 20 percent for left and right lumbar radiculopathy, finding that his symptoms were best characterized as moderate.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, including chronic lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease (DDD), was incurred during his active duty service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board has remanded 10 issues related to tinnitus, allergic rhinitis, psoriasis, and various forms of rheumatoid arthritis due to the lack of service treatment records. The RO is instructed to attempt to locate these records through multiple avenues.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 10 percent prior to December 25, 2013 and 40 percent thereafter. The Board has remanded the case for further evaluation.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for thoracic spine spondylosis and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis are being remanded due to outstanding VA or private treatment records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability due to new and material evidence. However, the claim is denied as there is no evidence that the current condition began during or was caused by service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection and TDIU due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's lumbar disability. The case will be returned to the RO for further development.