Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's back disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. Service connection for pulmonary vascular disease and deep vein thrombosis are denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to outstanding private treatment records and updated VA treatment records being needed for a full evaluation of the lumbar spine disability claim.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right hip, low back, and neck conditions are remanded due to the need for additional development including VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis, low back disability, headaches, and GERD have been granted with an effective date of February 18, 2000.

The Veteran's previously denied claims for PTSD, a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, a back disorder (herniated nucleus pulposus), arthritis, and osteoporosis have been reopened. The issues of service connection for these conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his right knee disability, as well as the current severity of his left knee disability post-TKA and lumbar strain. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to its inextricability with other issues on appeal.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the RO had already granted service connection for residuals of a back injury, which resolved the issue on appeal.

The Veteran's lumbar spine and left foot disabilities are granted as service connected, with the benefit of doubt favoring the Veteran.

The Board granted service connection for cervical spine DDD, stenosis, HNP, spondylarthritis, and radiculitis as these conditions were caused by the Veteran's in-service exposure to whiplash from small boats in high waves.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is related to his service-connected plantar callosities, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a failure to appear at his scheduled hearing and because of the withdrawal of representation. The claims will be readjudicated after scheduling an informal telephonic conference.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability is rated at 20 percent, and he has been granted a separate rating for residuals of meniscus repair. The appeal regarding secondary service connection for hip and lower back conditions is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and need for further examinations. The issues include shin splints, left ankle disability, hearing loss, lumbar spine disability, and onychomycosis and tinea pedis of both feet.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chondromalacia of the right knee and lumbar strain are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's lower back disability may be related to service, but more evidence is needed to determine if it clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed low back disorder(s) and whether it is at least as likely as not related to service. The case will be returned to the Board after compliance with appellate procedures.

The Veteran's skin disability, vertigo, hepatitis, and back disability are now service-connected with effective dates set at November 3, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder was dismissed. The appeals for extraschedular evaluations for right arm tendonitis and mechanical low back pain were also dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased ratings for various conditions due to incomplete examinations and lack of entrance examination prior to the Veteran's second period of active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical degenerative disc disease, hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep disability (including sleep apnea) are related to his service-connected conditions. The decision is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding these issues.