Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective from November 13, 2013. The Board finds that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition.

The Board has denied service connection for neck and left shoulder disorders, as well as a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease (lumbar spine). The Veteran's claims for these issues are being remanded.,Service connection is also denied for right wrist and right knee DJD. These claims are also being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, denied increased ratings for sinusitis and rhinitis with deviated septum, and denied earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for sleep apnea and SMC at the housebound rate.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise that the Veteran's current back disability is related to his service. The claim was reopened due to new and material evidence received since the previous denial.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the lower back disability claim. The skin disorder of toenails and acquired psychiatric disorder claims have been reopened, but service connection is not granted as there is no new and material evidence to support these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The conditions are found to be etiologically related to the Veteran's active military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disorder, kidney disorder, and basal cell carcinoma due to potential additional neurological impairment from chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy.,Additional examinations are needed to clarify the nature of the Veteran's conditions and their relationship to his service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, hearing loss, tinnitus, right leg L4-L5 rami-irritability (claimed as secondary to a low back disability), and depression due to incomplete records and lack of medical opinions regarding service connection.

The Board has remanded several claims, including service connection for asthma and an acquired psychiatric disorder, due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of new evidence. The Veteran's cervical spine and back disabilities are also being examined as they may be related to his active military service.

The claims for service connection for a right hip disability, left shoulder disability, and low back disability have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The claim for arthritis has not been reopened as it is related to other joints already service-connected.,The claim for left foot heel spur remains denied as no new or material evidence was submitted.

The Veteran's low back, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities are granted service connection. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to incomplete consideration of evidence and need for further examinations.

The Board has denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, poor circulation in the left and right lower extremities, and kidney condition.,The Veteran's claims for secondary service connection for these conditions are remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is required for the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that there was no evidence of chronic low back symptomatology during or immediately after active duty service and insufficient medical opinion to link current back disability to service.

The Board denied service connection for back condition and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a link to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of sleep apnea due to insufficient information and records provided.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability, including degenerative disc disease and spondylosis, is at least as likely as not caused by his military service. The decision grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination.