Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder disorder and low back disorder were denied, but the claim for new and material evidence for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a chronic lumbosacral spine disorder as there was no evidence of a diagnosis in service or within one year of separation, and the weight of the evidence did not support a finding that the current condition is related to active service.

The Board has decided to remand three issues: service connection for low back strain, residuals of prostatitis, and rating for abdominal surgical scars. The Veteran's claims are being returned due to the need for additional medical opinions or examinations.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a cervical spine injury as the evidence did not show that the Veteran's current cervical spine disability was related to his in-service injury.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of low back strain, rhinitis, and hypertension for further development. The Veteran's service connection claims are being reviewed due to missing VA medical records and an inadequate review of his claims file.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further consideration of service connection for hyperacusis. The claim for increased rating and TDIU related to low back disability with neuralgia in the right lower extremity remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating have been remanded due to the need to verify National Guard service records and obtain VA treatment records from San Diego.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disability, finding that there is no credible evidence of in-service injury or disease and concluding that any current neck disability is not related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an opinion regarding the Veteran's thoracic condition (back disability). The claims for left knee disability and right knee disability are granted, but the claim for thoracic condition is remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to initial disability ratings for left ankle strain, traumatic brain injury residuals, right shoulder disability, low back disability, and migraine headaches. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus was granted. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and low back and knee disabilities were denied.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including chronic low back pain (lumbar spine disability), eustachian tube dysfunction, and acid reflux. The claims are being remanded for VA examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 50 percent rating prior to February 10, 2015. A 70 percent rating is granted from February 10, 2015 onwards.

The Veteran's right peroneal neuralgia is granted as secondary to his service-connected shrapnel injuries. The low back disability, bilateral leg pain and weakness, and left foot neuropathy are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a low back disorder is granted. The Board finds new and material evidence has been received, including additional diagnoses of degenerative disc disease and degenerative changes, which raises the possibility that his current low back disorders are related to his in-service lifting injury.

Your claims for service connection related to migraine headaches, bilateral eye disability, lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Board has granted the petitions to reopen claims for service connection for a low back disorder, PTSD, and a nervous disorder. The claims of service connection for right shoulder disorder and rhinosinusitis have been denied as new and material evidence was not received.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an evaluation greater than 40 percent for degenerative disc disease and facet osteoarthritis status post lumbar laminectomy due to the Veteran's withdrawal of her appeal. The remaining issues are remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for a low back disorder and remanded it for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to outstanding medical records and examination needs.