Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder, diagnosed as spasm of the paraspinal muscle, is service-connected because it was aggravated by his military service. The condition pre-existed service but did not worsen beyond its natural progression.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for lower back disability due to issues with the evidentiary standard and because it is inextricably intertwined with a neck disability claim. The Veteran's service treatment records indicate multiple complaints of back pain during service, but there is also evidence suggesting pre-service injury. The issue must be addressed under the clear and unmistakable standard.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss and granted service connection for sleep apnea, headaches, back disability, and neck disability. The claims for right ear hearing loss and temporary total evaluation are still pending and need further examination and evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has determined that new evidence supports reopening of his low back disorder, skin disorder (onychomycosis), and bilateral eye disorder claims. The cases are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of a lumbar spine disability due to withdrawal by the appellant's authorized representative. The issues of increased rating for lumbar spine disability and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a bilateral foot disability is dismissed. The Board grants the TDIU on an extraschedular basis, effective March 12, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis was denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left hip disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability is reopened, and he is granted service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease. Effective November 29, 2011, his right hip deformity is rated at 40 percent under DC 5252, with another separate 10 percent rating for limited external rotation of the right hip effective from that date. A 10 percent rating is also assigned for limited extension of the right hip as of October 31, 2012.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 10 percent prior to February 10, 2015. From February 10, 2015, the rating was increased to 40 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of his right hip disability claim which was denied. The left hip and back disabilities are now considered service-connected.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right foot calcaneal spur, closed fracture fifth left metatarsal base, lumbar myositis, nose surgery/rhinitis, right inguinal herniorrhaphy, and depression due to inadequate examination reports and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions due to incomplete information and need for further examination. The Veteran's dates of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA must be verified, and additional examinations are needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is service-connected, as it was incurred during his active duty.

The Board denied service connection for a thoracic/lumbar spine disability and TDIU due to lack of evidence showing the current condition is related to service, and because the Veteran's combined rating does not meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active duty service.,Service connection is also not granted for low back condition and neck condition as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the case for further action on the issues of service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability.,The Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of head injury and right shoulder disability are denied, with the latter issue being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding flare-ups of pain.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back condition and granted it, finding that his current back condition is etiologically related to his in-service complaints and treatment.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected right knee disabilities, including back and left knee conditions. The Board has determined that further examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal for all issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disorder, including lumbar degenerative disc disease and herniated nucleus pulposus, is related to an in-service injury. As a result, service connection for these conditions is granted.