Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that further medical evaluation and opinion are needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including back disability, bilateral hearing loss, respiratory condition (COPD), and migraine headaches. The claims are being remanded for these purposes.

The Board has decided to remand three issues: service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder as secondary to all service-connected disabilities, rating higher than 10 percent for the service-connected migraine disability, and rating higher than 40 percent for the service-connected back disability. Additional development is needed.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a low back condition due to new evidence. The claim for service connection for a respiratory condition is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and remanded the issue of service connection for skin disorders as due to herbicide exposure. The case is being returned to VA for further review.

The claim to reopen the service connection for a back disability was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The rating for left ankle strain remains at 10 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition, finding that there was no evidence of chronicity or continuity of symptomatology and that the current disability is not otherwise etiologically related to his military service.

The Board has found that remand is warranted due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of recently associated medical records. The claim will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability has been reopened and granted. A combined maximum initial 30 percent rating is assigned for scars of the mid sternum, epigastric region, and right leg.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for a low back disability and mesothelioma. The claims are now remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, an asbestos exposure questionnaire, and examinations by appropriate clinicians.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a typographical error in the description of the claims on appeal and because the Veteran identified relevant outstanding private treatment records. The VA will request these records.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant died before a decision could be made on his claims.

The Veteran's back disability is granted a 40% rating, effective August 9, 2016. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for an initial compensable rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records, as well as the Veteran's contention that his current lumbar spine disability is related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine have been granted service connection. The Veteran is entitled to a 20 percent rating for his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine effective May 6, 2017. However, he remains in disagreement with the initial rating assigned prior to that date.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and his active duty service.

The Veteran's tinnitus and sleep apnea are found to be related to his active service. The Veteran's deviated septum is remanded for further examination, as the evidence raises questions about its relation to his service-connected jaw disability. The low back disability is also remanded for a VA examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus and sleep apnea are found to be related to his active service. The Veteran's deviated septum is remanded for further examination, as the evidence raises questions about its relation to his service-connected jaw disability. The low back disability is also remanded for a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a left hand disability with neuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome, finding no evidence of a nexus to service or service-connected conditions.,For the left hand disability, the Board also found no additional disability due to VA surgical treatment in November 2005.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for pes cavus, hammertoes, bilateral knee disability, and back disability due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran will need a VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to service or aggravated by his service-connected condition.