Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, PTSD, and increased ratings for the cervical spine disability. The Veteran's current low back disorder is considered to be directly related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal regarding his thoracolumbar sine sprain with levoscoliosis, degenerative changes and spondylosis was dismissed as he withdrew the claim. The appeals for increased ratings of left knee strain, right knee osteoarthritis, and service-connected hypertension are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD claim has been reopened, but service connection for low back disability, left hip disabilities, right hip disabilities, left leg disabilities, right leg disabilities, left foot disabilities, and right foot disabilities is denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral CTS, mechanical back pain and lumbar-sacroiliac dysfunction, myofascial pain of the cervical paraspinal muscles and upper back, degenerative joint disease of the left knee, limited flexion and painful motion of the right hip, limited extension of the right hip, rotation and adduction of the right hip (unable to toe-out more than 15 degrees or cross legs), limited flexion and painful motion of the left hip, and limited extension of the left hip have all been denied. The Veteran's service connection claims for these conditions are decided on their merits.

The Veteran's back disorder has been granted service connection, but his diabetes mellitus claim remains denied due to lack of direct or presumptive link to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete medical records and the need for additional examinations. The Veteran is seeking service connection for various disabilities, including middle back, cervical spine, bilateral hip, knee, and ankle disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to outstanding VA and private medical records, which are necessary for a proper assessment of the Veteran's low back disability. The remand also includes requesting an addendum opinion from the February 2018 VA examiner.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted as secondary to her service-connected lumbar spine and right foot disabilities. The claims for initial ratings on the lumbar spine and right foot disabilities, and for headaches are remanded. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and has determined that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability was incurred in service. Service connection is therefore granted.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a right arm condition, including tendonitis, has been denied.,Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran’s PTSD exacerbates her irritable bowel syndrome.,A rating of 20 percent, and no higher, is granted for right shoulder tendonitis and impingement syndrome.,A rating of 20 percent, and no higher, is granted for cervical spine strain.,The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition (abnormal kyphosis), hemorrhoids, chronic anxiety-induced indigestion, increased urinary frequency, and anxiety disorder.,,,,

The claim for service connection of a low back disorder is reopened, but the case is remanded as new evidence does not establish that the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and depression are all granted service connection.,Service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, arthritis of the right hand, arthritis of the left hand, fibromyalgia, cervical spine disability, thoracic spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, hypothyroidism, and a sleep-related disability (including obstructive sleep apnea) are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral eye disability, bilateral ear disability, and increased ratings for DJD of the lumbar spine with IVDS and radiculopathy of the lower extremities associated with DJD and IVDS. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded three issues: service connection for low back and left knee disabilities secondary to service-connected right ankle, left ankle, and right knee degenerative joint disease; an increased rating for the Veteran's right ankle disability; and entitlement to TDIU. The remand requests a new VA examination and medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's antalgic gait and its relationship to his low back and left knee disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, granted secondary service connection for dizziness and insomnia, and denied service connection for TBI. The effective date of the grant of service connection for prostate cancer was set at March 15, 2017.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for low back strain due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's appeal of his anxiety claim was dismissed. His claim for a low back disability is granted.

The claims for service connection for low back, bilateral hip, and bilateral foot disabilities are reopened. However, the Veteran's conditions are not found to be related to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities or due to any other service-related factors.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease with spinal stenosis is rated at 40 percent from April 19, 2012 to May 29, 2013. The depressive disorder not otherwise specified has not been rated higher.

The Board denied service connection for a lower back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the current disabilities and military service.