Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for stomach, colon, and back disorders due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a cervical spine disorder and a disability rating greater than 10 percent for low back strain due to insufficient examination reports, lack of range of motion testing in accordance with Correia v. McDonald (2016), and outstanding VA/private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for lumbar spine disability, residuals of a head injury, and PTSD due to additional evidence being associated with the claims file.

The Board previously denied the claim for service connection of cervical spine disorder, which is now remanded due to an inadequate prior VA examination.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition, which is secondary to his service-connected left big toe fracture, needs further review and additional medical records are required.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for back disorder, left hip disorder, and right hip disorder. The appeals are remanded to obtain VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions, as well as their relationship to service-connected bilateral knee disorders.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent effective from September 28, 2015. Prior to this date, the disability was rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's lumbar myositis and degenerative disc disease L-5-S1 were rated at 40 percent prior to November 24, 2017. From that date onwards, the disability was rated at a higher level.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration. The Veteran's low back disability remains rated at 20 percent prior to January 24, 2012, and his TDIU claim is also on hold until additional information can be gathered.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her lumbar spine disability is granted from October 8, 2008 to January 20, 2016. The issue of TDIU prior to July 20, 2012 remains denied.

The Board denied service connection for low back, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine as there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and left shoulder disability, finding that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claims. The Board also found that there is no medical evidence showing a link between the current disabilities and service.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability as there was no evidence showing the Veteran had such a condition during or related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea, lumbar degenerative disc disease/arthritis, major depression, lumbar radiculopathy, plantar fasciitis (left foot), and right shoulder osteoarthritis. As a result, the claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder, NOS are rated at 70 percent. The Board granted TDIU based on the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar degenerative disc disease and sarcoidosis due to inadequate medical opinions in previous decisions. The Veteran's claim of a higher rating for his back condition is being reviewed, and he may withdraw this claim if he wishes. For sarcoidosis, the AOJ must consider whether it is service-connected or secondary to sarcoidosis.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent since July 20, 2017. His bilateral hearing loss remains at 0 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left ear hearing loss, cervical spine condition, low back pain, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertensive cardiovascular disease, dyslipidemia, peptic ulcer disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for left ear hearing loss.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for entitlement to service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability and arthritis of the shoulders. The cervical spine condition, bilateral knee conditions, and bilateral arm conditions are remanded due to lack of a VA medical examination.