Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims of lumbar spine, cervical spine, left knee, right knee, and headaches disabilities. Additional development is needed to obtain workman's compensation records related to the Veteran’s claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's bronchial asthma is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on objective PFT results and medication use.,PFB is currently rated as noncompensable. The evidence did not show systemic therapy or more than five percent of exposed areas affected.

Service connection is granted for lumbar degenerative arthritis. The Veteran's cervical disability and cause of death are remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and residuals of TBI due to inadequate VA examinations. The claims will be further developed with new examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not combine to preclude substantially gainful employment, as the VA examiners found that her conditions do not prevent her from performing sedentary work.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine condition has been reopened, and the appeal is granted. The cervical spine condition issue remains pending.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance is remanded due to the lack of a VA examination addressing only his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's current low back symptoms are attributed to post-service injuries, not his service-connected low back strain. Therefore, a compensable rating for the service-connected condition is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened, but the evidence does not meet the criteria to establish a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD has been reopened, but the evidence does not meet the criteria to establish a current disability.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral knee disorders, and lumbosacral spine disorder have all been reopened. The additional evidence raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been remanded due to the need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and noting that any post-service complaints are not related to his active military service.

The Board has denied service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease, bilateral hearing loss disability, and hypertension. The Veteran's vision loss claim is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence received from the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding whether the Veteran's low back disability is related to his military service. The VA examiner did not address if in-service parachute jumps could have caused a post-service condition.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability (osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine) and denied service connection for his heart condition (CAD and MI with CHF). The low back condition is considered to be directly related to service, while the heart condition is not linked to any in-service event or exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left shoulder disorder, back disorder and Meniere’s syndrome with residuals of vertigo.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection, rating increases, and TDIU due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for insomnia and remanded the remaining issues due to need for additional examinations.

The Veteran is granted service connection for tinnitus. The Board finds that the Veteran's current tinnitus began in service due to noise exposure.,The Veteran’s lower back disability and left knee disability are remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to obtain workers' compensation records. The case is being returned for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further medical examination. The claims include lumbar strain, lumbar spondylisthesis, COPD, heart disability, prostate cancer, and bladder cancer.