Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for right, left knee disabilities and low back disability secondary to bilateral ankle disabilities due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The Veteran's ankylosing spondylitis is also a factor in these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD and hiatal hernia, were denied. The claim for residuals of a head injury (now claimed as TBI) was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's service-connected low back strain with disc bulge, sciatica of left lower extremity, and sciatica of right lower extremity due to inadequate examination and need for updated treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, which is related to service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate examinations and the need for further evaluations of the Veteran's thoracic and lumbar spine disability, as well as his right knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Veteran's claim for a TDIU due solely to PTSD with alcohol use disorder is granted.

Service connection is granted for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and gastroesophageal reflux disease. The Veteran's psychiatric and gastrointestinal issues are remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded several claims due to the need for additional evidence and examinations. The Veteran's service-connected conditions include migraine headaches, a left forehead laceration, tinea pedis of the bilateral feet, gout, sleep apnea, multiple painful joints, allergies, bilateral knee swelling with pain, bilateral hearing loss, residuals of a bilateral ankle injury, an upper and lower back disorder, and tinnitus. The claims are remanded for further development including obtaining SSA records, VA treatment records, and examinations.

The Veteran's previously denied skin disorder claim is reopened, and service connection for a lower back disability is granted. Service connection for psychiatric disorders, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding no credible evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year post-service. The VA examiner concluded that any current back disabilities are less likely related to the 1980 injury due to genetic and lifestyle factors.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied.,The Veteran’s claims for service connection for a back disability, heart disability, high blood pressure, gastrointestinal disability (claimed as diarrhea), acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as anxiety, depression, and PTSD), respiratory disability (claimed as breathing problems) to include COPD, left upper quadrant curvilinear calcification (claimed as aortic aneurysm), and enlarged prostate have been remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right shoulder disability, low back disability, and headache disability due to inadequate opinions in the June 2013 VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of service connection for a back disorder due to insufficient evidence.

The claim for service connection of low back disorder is remanded due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current condition and his in-service injury.

The rating reduction from 40 percent to 10 percent for lumbar spondylosis with chronic back pain and degenerative disc disease effective October 20, 2010 was improper, and the 40 percent rating is restored.,Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar spine disability is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service records and a need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings and TDIU due to his service-connected lumbosacral spine and left knee disabilities. The VA is instructed to schedule the Veteran for appropriate VA examinations, provide him with proper notice of these examinations, obtain all outstanding records, and ensure that he provides any additional evidence needed.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his in-service injury due to multiple post-service injuries and lack of continuity of symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted service connection. The lumbar spine condition, including spina bifida, is being remanded for further examination and evaluation.