Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence linking the Veteran's current back disability to his active service. The Veteran will be provided a VA examination and given an opportunity to submit additional statements or medical evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to unclear records and need for an addendum from a VA examiner.

The claim of service connection for low back condition, including herniated discs, is being remanded due to the need for a supplemental addendum opinion from an appropriate clinician regarding whether the Veteran's current low back disorder is etiologically related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is due to injury suffered during active military service. The lung and neck disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of onset or causation related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to outstanding VA treatment records and conflicting medical opinions. The Veteran will need to provide updated VA treatment records, VistA Imaging records, and information regarding his in-service stressors. He will also be provided with VA examinations for his lumbar spine disability, sleep disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and bipolar disorder), nasal polyps, and chronic sinus headaches.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of low back disorder due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to insufficient evidence from previous examinations, including lack of information on flare-ups and functional loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's low back disability is being reviewed again as there are gaps in VA treatment records and a need for an updated medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's lumbosacral strain. The issues of rating higher than 20 percent for lumbosacral strain and entitlement to TDIU are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The issues of service connection for sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), chronic lumbar strain, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are remanded.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals on all service connection claims except for right shoulder, right ankle, and right wrist conditions. The remaining issues have been remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, effective August 17, 2012.,The Veteran's hemorrhoids are rated at 0 percent, effective August 17, 2012.,Service connection for sleep apnea was granted effective August 17, 2012.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and a need for additional development.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability to include as secondary to his service-connected achilles tendon disability should be remanded due to inadequate opinions from the VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting opinions and insufficient evidence. The low back condition claim requires a new VA opinion, while the psychiatric disability claim needs verification of service in Vietnam.

The Board denied service connection for low back, left knee, left ankle, and left foot disabilities as the evidence did not establish a nexus to service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for tinnitus has been withdrawn.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for lumbar spine disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder, unspecified), and dyslipidemia. The Board finds that these claims are reopened.,No new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for dyslipidemia.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder, unspecified).,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be related to his active duty service. The issue is remanded for further development.,The Board finds that there is no current diagnosis of traumatic brain injury and thus denies the claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for low back disability has been reopened, and the Board finds that service connection is warranted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep disorder (previously claimed as heavy snoring) has also been reopened. The Board finds that service connection is warranted.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal of the claims.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his intervertebral disc syndrome with thoracolumbar strain and TDIU have been remanded due to the inadequacies of the May 2017 VA examination report. The case will be returned for further development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination.