Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The claim for service connection of a low back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records, specifically SSA disability benefits records. The Veteran must provide updated VA and private treatment records, and the SSA must be contacted for any relevant records.

The claim for service connection of low back disability has been reopened due to new and material evidence. The case is now remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding various service-connected disabilities, as well as for additional records to be obtained. The claims are not related to a specific exposure basis or the PACT Act.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for excision of a lesion of the lumbar spine at L4, also claimed as a low back injury is reopened and remanded due to lack of a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for fecal urge incontinence and lumbar spine disability, as well as his claim for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all outstanding VA records and request any additional private records from the Veteran. They are also required to provide the Veteran with a SOC regarding the denial of service connection for squamous cell carcinoma.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including low back disorder and headaches. The initial evaluation for non-active conjunctivitis with pinguecula and bilateral dry eye syndrome is also being remanded. The effective dates for PTSD are also being remanded.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his death.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not found to be related to service.,His lumbar spine disorder, left shoulder disorder, cardiomyopathy, hair loss, headache disorder, and COPD were also not found to be related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that these conditions are related to symptoms first noted during active duty.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for tinnitus is dismissed. The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for back, left knee, and right knee conditions as well as a claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities, as well as his erectile dysfunction. The issues include increased ratings for these conditions and service connection for erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's appeal for right elbow disability was withdrawn prior to the Board's decision.,There is no evidence of a current disability manifested by muscle spasms or bilateral hip disability. The Veteran has not been shown to have these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back and bilateral knee disabilities due to lack of new and material evidence, as the submitted evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and left knee disabilities have been granted, but the cases are remanded due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Board has remanded three issues: entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative changes of the right knee, entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for chronic right knee patellar tendonitis, and entitlement to a higher initial evaluation for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and ankylosing spondylitis of the thoracic spine. The Veteran's spouse’s need for aid and attendance was denied due to lack of evidence showing she requires regular aid and assistance.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for VA treatment records and an examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% effective from the date of this decision, with a new and material claim for low back condition reopened. The rating for erectile dysfunction remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU. The VA examinations are inadequate for the issues of increased ratings for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back and left knee disabilities, finding that these conditions began during his active service in Afghanistan.