Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has denied service connection for ear drum disability and remanded the issue of back disability due to lack of current evidence and need for a medical opinion.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine and ischemic heart disease are granted due to direct service connection, with ischemic heart disease being presumed based on herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for low back disability, sinus disability, bilateral ear disability, and sore throat due to incomplete verification of active duty training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty training (INACDUTRA). The VA examiner's opinions need to be revised based on new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chronic low back strain and PTSD, as well as the cause of death claim, were denied. The Board found that his service-connected disabilities did not meet criteria for higher disability ratings under either old or new rating criteria.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including DDD of the cervical and thoracolumbar spine, bilateral hearing loss, GERD, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, dermatitis, squamous cell skin cancer, CTS, upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, TBI, and migraine headaches. The Board found that there was no in-service injury or event supporting the claims for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations were dismissed. The Board also remanded several issues related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence in previous decisions, and an additional VA examination is needed.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his cervical spine disability was denied, and the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) was dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected schizoaffective disorder and lumbar spine disease render her in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting special monthly compensation benefits.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's complete service treatment records and to ensure all relevant medical records are considered in evaluating his claims. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to in-service noise exposure. Service connection for a low back disorder was denied as there is no medical evidence of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The Veteran was found not to have current left ear hearing loss for VA purposes, and his employment as a service technician was considered in determining that he could secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal for separate ratings for urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction associated with his service-connected degenerative disc disease with IVDS, status post laminectomy, is denied. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 10% from April 2, 2009 to May 6, 2011 and at 40% from October 25, 2011 to June 26, 2014. Since then, a higher rating for his back disability is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and examination, as there is insufficient evidence regarding the cause of the appellant's current lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's back and tonsillitis/acid reflux disabilities are denied service connection, but his kidney disability is granted as secondary to hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her lumbosacral strain is remanded due to the need for an examination to assess the current severity of her disability and whether any objective neurologic abnormalities are present.

The Veteran is entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities as of June 10, 2014.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral shoulder strain and chronic cervical and lumbar spine strain due to insufficient medical opinions. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it may be impacted by the development of these service connection claims.