Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal and auditory disabilities, as well as a claimed psychiatric disability. The appeals are due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased evaluation of his degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine prior to April 12, 2016 was denied. The appeal is REMANDED as there are issues regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disabilities.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial evaluation of his degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine from April 12, 2016 is also REMANDED due to issues with service connection for bilateral hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of her service-connected low back disability is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling an appropriate VA examination.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability was denied. His claims for increased ratings for cervical spine DJD and left leg scar were also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, hearing loss, lumbar disc disease, scar, low back, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and PTSD. The issues of whether new and material evidence was received to reopen the claim for TBI and the propriety of reducing the disability rating for PTSD from 50% to 30% are also remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeal of the issue regarding bilateral hearing loss. The claims for tinnitus and low back condition were granted, but remanded for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability of degenerative disc disease, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during service and have continued since then. The appeal is based on direct evidence rather than any presumption or secondary theory.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbosacral spine disability due to inadequate development of evidence, specifically regarding the severity and functional impairment caused by flare-ups.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions including back disability, head injuries, hysterectomy, and psychiatric disorder. The cases are remanded to determine if these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted service connection. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, rated at 60 percent, is denied an increased rating. The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the effective date for service connection of his lumbar spine disability.

The Board has denied service connection for a back disorder and remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral lower peripheral neuropathy due to lack of medical evidence.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine discogenic disease L4-L5 with lumbar degenerative arthritis, left leg sciatic nerve disability, and right leg sciatic nerve disability are all granted as service connected.,An increased rating for the Veteran’s lumbar strain is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new and worsening of his right knee disability, left fifth finger injury, low back disability, and hypertension. The claims are being remanded for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and back disability are being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess their severity and functional effects. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection due to incomplete records, need for additional examinations, and need to verify stressors. The issues of TDIU are also inextricably intertwined with these other claims.

The Board denied service connection for a back injury and bilateral lower extremity post-phlebitic syndrome, finding that the evidence did not support a relationship between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal via a written statement prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for spondylolisthesis with arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and sciatic radiculopathy, finding that there was no evidence of a causal nexus between his in-service injuries and his current back disorders.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection and restoration of a prostate cancer evaluation are denied. The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development to obtain medical records and for a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including back disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and bilateral hearing loss. The decision also includes a request for an initial compensable rating for TBI. Additional examinations are needed to determine if these conditions are related to military service.