Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for reflex sympathetic dystrophy, low back condition, and coronary artery disease. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing a direct relationship to service.

The Board has denied service connection for a bilateral knee disability, but has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease due to lack of current evidence supporting these conditions.

The Board has denied an increased rating for lumbar strain and remanded the issues of increased ratings for left heel Achilles tendonitis, right foot Achilles tendonitis, left knee degenerative changes and patellofemoral pain syndrome, and right knee degenerative joint disease due to lack of evidence showing incapacitating episodes or ankylosis.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine disorders of degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease, as well as secondary service connection for bilateral leg sciatica. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service injury and current diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back disability, frostbite of bilateral feet, and frostbite of bilateral hands due to outstanding service treatment records. The Veteran reported injuries during basic training at Fort Dix, New Jersey, and in Korea.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of lumbosacral spine DJD, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and TDIU have all been denied by the Board.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for his low back and left knee disabilities due to a lack of recent VA examination records.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The preponderance of the evidence supports the Veteran's claim that these conditions originated during his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and providing a VA examination.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids and pseudofolliculitis barbae have not been found to meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,Service connection for a heart disorder, peripheral vascular disease, and an above the knee amputation of the right leg are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's low back strain and right knee degenerative joint disease have been granted initial disability ratings of 10 percent, 20 percent, and 30 percent for the entire appeal period. The Veteran's limitation of extension of her right knee has also been granted an increased rating to 30 percent from November 11, 2014, and 20 percent from September 29, 2015. However, the Veteran's limitation of flexion of her right knee remains at a noncompensable level.

The Board has remanded the claims for a higher rating for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, left ankle sprain, and right ankle sprain. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to its inextricability with the other issues.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss due to lack of evidence showing the presence of a current disability. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and status post subchondral fracture to anteromedial aspect of distal tibia are remanded as there is no updated VA examination record available.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, back disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (schizophrenia and depression) have been denied. However, new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of right ear hearing loss, back disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (schizophrenia and depression). Service connection for these conditions is granted.,The Veteran's service-connected residuals of large colon resection and abdominal scar due to peritoneal adhesions have caused his depressive disorder. As a result, secondary service connection for this condition is also granted.

The Board denied separate evaluations for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy from September 26, 2003 to December 28, 2010 as the neurological findings were no more than mild.

The Veteran's nephrolithiasis is granted a 10% rating. The cervical spine disability and lumbar spine disability are both granted a 20% rating.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae is denied.,Service connection and increased ratings for degenerative arthritis lumbar spine, left knee degenerative arthritis, right knee degenerative arthritis, left shoulder disability, and right shoulder strain are all denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluation of his disabilities due to incomplete medical opinions, lack of VA examination findings during flare-ups, and need for additional private treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that the evidence does not support a link between the current condition and service.