Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

Your appeals to reopen service connection for a back disability and for an earlier effective date for tinnitus have been dismissed as you withdrew your appeals in August 2016.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen her claim of service connection for lumbosacral strain and determined that she may have a current disability related to in-service injuries. The Board found reasonable doubt as to whether the Veteran's current condition is due to service, but decided in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinnitus and PTSD remains denied. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for low back condition and upper back condition.,Service connection claims for lower and upper back conditions are pending, but further examination is needed as VA has not provided such a review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and right knee disabilities are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's current lumbar spine disabilities of degenerative disc disease and spondylolisthesis are considered to have been aggravated by pre-existing scoliosis during service, thus meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including right shoulder strain, ankle and knee disabilities, back disability, and hypertension. The case will be remanded to obtain new VA examinations and opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and missing medical records. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, but he is seeking a higher rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of various disabilities and to obtain relevant VA treatment records. The claims for service connection are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations due to insufficient evidence, including a need for new VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine is remanded due to conflicting findings and a need for clarification on the severity of his current back disability. Additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination, is required.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to unclear records and need for additional examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for clothing allowances for his back brace and skin medication, triamcinolone acetonide, as there is no evidence that either item causes wear and tear to his clothing or irreparable damage.

The Board found no evidence to support a service connection for the low back disability, including an in-service injury or event. The Veteran's current condition is attributed to age-related degeneration and unrelated to any service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that a new examination and opinion are necessary for the Veteran's claims of lower back disability and insomnia due to incomplete rationale in previous opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back pain, currently diagnosed as narrowing at L5-S1, began during service and has been ongoing ever since. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 10% prior to January 23, 2015. From that date forward, the rating is increased to 20%. The decision also addresses left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for traumatic arthritis and PTSD were denied. The rating for traumatic arthritis was not higher than 20 percent, while the rating for PTSD was not higher than 70 percent.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected lumbar strain disability and bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports. A new VA examination is required to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current low back disability relates to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded four issues for further development and examination: back disability, bilateral foot disability, diabetes, and neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities. The Veteran asserts that his disabilities are related to service, particularly exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.