Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate examinations and conflicting medical opinions. The issues include labyrinthitis with vestibular dysfunction, lumbar strain with sacroiliac pain, right leg arterial insufficiency secondary to diabetes mellitus, hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnea secondary to diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus, and diabetic retinopathy secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient medical evidence addressing the Veteran's lay statements and the findings of his separation examination. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 20% from February 14, 2013 to June 12, 2017. The rating is denied for higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain medical opinions regarding service connection for a lumbar spine disability secondary to left knee disability, as well as the rating of the Veteran's left knee disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims of service connection for right knee, left knee, and low back disorders. The Veteran's claim is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his current disability status.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine and right ankle disabilities are being remanded for additional examinations to determine their current severity.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, but has remanded the issue of service connection for a left leg disability to include radiculopathy due to the lumbar spine.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for a back disorder and tinnitus. The claim of service connection for a knee disorder is remanded due to lack of examination.

The Veteran's right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), and back disorder were evaluated. The Board found that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating for any of these conditions and remanded several issues including service connection for a left knee disorder, individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU), and service connection for a back disorder.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is not service-connected, but his lumbar spine DDD and bladder incontinence are rated at the appropriate levels. The effective date for sciatic nerve radiculopathy has been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable prior to December 7, 2011. The Board is remanding the case for referral to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration of entitlement to a TDIU under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b) prior to December 7, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left shoulder and low back disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for recurrent left ear infections was denied. His PTSD received a 30% initial evaluation, which is granted. The claims for hemorrhoids and lumbar degenerative disc disease with strain (back disability) are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases of hearing loss, sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux, lower back disorder, and pain down the legs for further examination to determine their etiology. The Veteran's service connection claims are otherwise denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine was granted, with an effective date of April 20, 2010.

The Board has dismissed all issues related to rating and initial ratings for various conditions as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

An effective date of October 24, 2012 is granted for the grant of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability. The Veteran's claim for earlier effective date for this condition is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder. The claim for a back disability was denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for upper back condition, left knee injury, left toe condition (claimed as left great toe infection), bilateral eye condition (claimed as bilateral eye irritation), chest condition (claimed as chest pain), and anemia.,Additionally, the Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle condition and hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and right shoulder osteoarthritis and impingement syndrome, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's active military service.