Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including a lack of private medical records from his 2014 surgery. The Veteran is asked to provide or authorize VA to obtain these records.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection of a sleep disorder, to include obstructive sleep apnea. The initial disability rating for lumbar strain was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to June 25, 2014 and granted at 10 percent thereafter. A compensable disability rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae of the face was also denied. The Veteran's PTSD with depression received an initial disability rating of 50 percent but no higher.

The Board denied service connection for right ankle, lumbar spine, cervical spine, and hip disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's eye disorder results in bilateral concentric contraction of visual fields with remaining fields of 28 and 30 degrees, without evidence of incapacitating episodes or visual acuity worse than 20/40. A 50 percent rating for the service-connected eye disorder is granted.

The Veteran's initial ratings for cervical spine, right knee, and lumbar strain disabilities were denied. The cervical spine disability was rated at 10 percent prior to October 28, 2016 and at 20 percent thereafter. The right knee disability received a 10 percent rating from September 3, 2014 to October 28, 2016 and the lumbar strain disability was rated at 10 percent as of October 28, 2016.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's low back disability to his military service and denied his claim.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, low back, and right knee disabilities due to new evidence showing possible in-service onset of symptoms.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss disability as it meets the definition of a present disability under VA regulations.

The Board has granted the reopening of a claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, but denied the claim itself due to lack of evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for a cervical spine condition has been granted. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for a cervical spine condition and a sciatic nerve condition, as secondary to a cervical spine condition.

The Board has dismissed the claims for specially adapted housing and service connection for complex regional pain syndrome, as these benefits were already granted. The left foot disability claim is denied due to exceeding the amputation level rating. The low back and hip disabilities are remanded for further development including obtaining additional medical records and securing an addendum VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected cervical spine disability is remanded due to the need for additional examination and testing.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the Veteran's failure to report for VA examinations, and a new examination is required.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and tinnitus. The claim for neuropathy of the bilateral hands and fingers is denied due to lack of diagnosis. The claim for neuropathy of the bilateral feet is also denied. The claim for a lumbar spine disorder remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examinations, and a new examination is required to assess the Veteran's low back disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted as service connected due to a link between the condition and his in-service back strain.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his low back disability and for consideration of TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for low back disability is granted and remanded for additional medical examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disorder, sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, skin rash (discoid lupus erythematosus), and depression. The Veteran's current diagnoses of degenerative disc disease and arthritis in the lumbar spine, as well as his acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, are presumed to have existed prior to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, associated with thoracic scoliosis and chronic lumbar strain was granted effective May 28, 2014. The initial rating for back condition remains remanded.