Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for a low back condition, finding that the evidence did not support a link between current degenerative disc disease and in-service injuries.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequacies of a prior VA examination and for further evidentiary development.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis and lower extremity radiculopathy are rated at 40 percent since February 9, 2010. The right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are each rated at 20 percent from February 9, 2010 to September 20, 2017, with the ratings for both conditions being denied as more than 20 percent since September 21, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression has been reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for back disability, hepatitis B and C, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate rationale in a previous VA examination. The Veteran is required to undergo another VA examination to determine if his current lumbar and cervical spine disorders are related to his military service, including an alleged fall from a ladder during service.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted, and a 40% rating for lumbar strain with IVDS is also granted. The issues of secondary service connection for erectile dysfunction and peptic ulcer disease are remanded.

The Board granted service connection for low back strain and lumbar spine degeneration, but denied service connection for arthritis of the right leg, arthritis of the left leg, and sleep problems. The decision on memory loss is not provided in this excerpt.

The Board has denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and remanded the issues of service connection for right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to incomplete medical opinions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has remanded several issues for further examination and opinion, including service connection claims for various conditions. The Veteran's enlarged thyroid is not compensable due to lack of findings or symptoms attributable to the condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of lumbar spine DJD with spondylosis and spinal stenosis.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased rating and TDIU for a psychiatric disability, as well as service connection claims for back disability and bilateral pes planus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection due to incomplete records and need for further medical examinations.

The claim of service connection for chronic lumbar strain has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further examination regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability results in an altered gait, which may affect his back and left knee conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tobacco use disorder/smoking.,Service connection was not granted for diabetes due to the lack of evidence showing its onset during or related to active service.

The Board has remanded several issues including increased ratings for hearing loss and PTSD, effective date claims, and service connection claims. The Veteran's appeal is currently pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disability, finding that his current condition is not related to any injury or disease incurred in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. For the period prior to August 30, 2016, his lower back disability is rated at 20 percent disabling. The claims for migraine headaches and a higher rating for the lower back disability since August 30, 2016 are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, left shoulder disability, lumbar spine disability, and skin disability.

Your claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board is unable to decide if you are entitled to benefits at this time due to additional needed development.,The VA has ordered further examinations and opinions on your back, leg, knee, and headache conditions. Your TDIU claim will also be remanded.