Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection and initial noncompensable rating (zero percent) for his post-operative, residual scar of the lumbar spine was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his post-operative, residual scar of the lumbar spine was also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a back disorder, disorders of the lower extremities, and a disorder manifested by seizures due to insufficient evidence in the record regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of all pending appeals by the Veteran’s attorney.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and a neck condition, finding that there is no current diagnosis of these conditions and that they are not causally related to his military service.

The Veteran's cervical spine condition is being remanded for a new medical opinion to address whether it was aggravated by his service-connected lumbar back strain.

The Veteran's claim for a 30 percent rating for histoplasmosis of the lung is granted. Service connection for coronary artery disease is also granted, but service connection for bladder infections and sciatic lumbar disease are denied.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection for various conditions, including left shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, left foot disability, right foot disability, hearing loss (right ear), GERD, skin condition, radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities, and a nervous condition. The Board also dismissed the claim for lumbago and sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and to obtain updated medical records. The issues of entitlement to higher initial ratings for left ankle disability and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's lower back disorder is related to his in-service fall. An addendum opinion from an appropriate clinician is needed.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a back condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran needs VA examinations to determine if he has these conditions and whether they are related to his military service.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as service-connected. TDIU due to service-connected disabilities prior to March 30, 2015 is also granted.

The claims of service connection for depression/adjustment disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, pes planus, diabetes, and back disorder have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The Board finds that these conditions are not related to active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disorders, finding no evidence of a nexus between the current diagnoses and in-service events.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, arthritis, and a back disability due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's DM was not incurred in service or related to his active duty. His arthritis and back condition are currently diagnosed but their relation to service is unclear.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been rated at 80 percent combined, and are reasonably shown to be of such nature and severity as to preclude his participation in substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and work experience. The Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's back disability rating was restored to 40 percent effective August 7, 2015. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.,Service connection for the claimed lung condition, including bronchitis, is denied as not secondary to sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus and a low back disability have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The issues are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and the issues of service connection for a back disability, left leg disability, hypertension, GERD, and erectile dysfunction are remanded due to incomplete evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records.