Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities do not meet the criteria for service connection on a direct basis due to insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's low back disability is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed condition. The examiner must also provide an opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not that any diagnosed low back disability is directly linked to the Veteran's claimed exposure to radiation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including sleep disorder (to include sleep apnea), cold injury residuals of the hands, low back disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, stroke, craniotomy, and headaches have been denied. The cases are remanded to obtain clarification on the Veteran’s periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA, and for further medical examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service back injury and continuous symptoms since separation.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for an additional back disability caused by the laminectomy surgery conducted in April 1984 is denied, and his service connection claim for sciatica claimed as secondary to lumbar spine disability is also denied.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability as the evidence did not show they were incurred in or related to service.,The Board also denied service connection for a bilateral ankle disability (left and right ankles) and for left lower extremity radiculopathy and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including chronic pain and tendonitis, bilateral foot disability, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, PTSD, low back disability, hypercholesterolemia, sleep apnea, and a rating for dysthymia and panic disorder. The Board also ordered additional VA treatment records to be obtained.

The Board has remanded the claims for right shoulder osteoarthritis and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease due to incomplete examination reports. The Veteran's service-connected conditions are being evaluated again.

The Board has denied service connection for a low back disability and bilateral knee disability, finding that the evidence does not support a direct or presumptive relationship to active duty service.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including those related to gout, left wrist disorder, right wrist disorder, back disorder, sleep apnea, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's service treatment records show he reported and was treated for many of these conditions during his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a back disorder, a right hip disorder, and initial ratings for his right and left knee disabilities due to incomplete examinations and lack of medical evidence supporting the diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in its May 2017 decision and a need for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations of his lumbar spine disability and TDIU was remanded by the Board. The case is now back with the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further action.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his cervical spine, low back, and psychiatric disorders were denied. The VA found that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the current severity of the service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability, including its nature and extent as well as any flare-ups. A new examination is required.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability is granted as new and material evidence has been submitted. The Veteran was denied service connection in December 1993 due to lack of evidence, but the current submission includes allegations by the Veteran regarding an injury during military training at Fort Benning, Georgia, and additional medical records establishing a current back disability.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for an eye disability is denied. The Veteran has been diagnosed with refractive error, mild allergic conjunctivitis, bilateral senile cataracts, and open angle glaucoma suspected. His current hearing loss was not caused by or related to his diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted as there is evidence of a current disability (sensorineural hearing loss) and in-service acoustic trauma has been conceded. The Veteran's hearing was normal at discharge, but he developed sensorineural hearing loss many years after service without continuity of symptomatology.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability (tinnitus).,The Veteran's claim of service connection for Barrett's esophagus is denied. The Veteran does not have, and has not had during the period on appeal, a disability consisting of colon polyps.,The Veteran's claims of service connection for colon polyps, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diverticulitis, hemorrhoids, and GERD are all denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or any link to his active service.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is denied. The Veteran does not have, and has not had during the period on appeal, a disability consisting of colon polyps.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for diverticulitis is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or any link to his active service.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for hemorrhoids is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or any link to his active service.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for GERD is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or any link to his active service.

The Veteran's back condition is granted service connection. The appeal for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. Service connection for respiratory problems due to environmental hazards in the Gulf War is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee, back, and left eye disabilities due to inadequate consideration of relevant evidence in prior VA examinations.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to new and material evidence. The claims for a compensable rating for spondylosis of the lumbar spine are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for lumbar spine, left hip, right hip, left knee, and right ankle disabilities as secondary to a service-connected right great toe disability due to lack of sufficient nexus opinions.