Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between his current condition and active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for an increased rating for PTSD, service connection for back disorder and glaucoma, and entitlement to TDIU. The time period on appeal for the claim involving PTSD needs clarification.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for service connection and increased ratings, but the Board finds that no such effective dates are warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disorders and left shoulder disability did not begin during service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease. The appeal is being remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's arthritis of the bilateral sacroiliac joints manifested to a compensable degree within one year of separation from service and is presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative arthritis, gouty arthritis, and others. The claims were not granted on a presumptive basis due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to herbicide exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions from previous VA examinations and the need for updated treatment records. The Veteran's low back disability is being reviewed again with a new examination to determine if it is related to his service, or if it was aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an examination and medical opinion regarding his claimed back disorder.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for Hepatitis C and a rash on his back and groin, but denied service connection for other conditions due to lack of evidence linking them to service. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted while others were not.

The Veteran's service connection for left ear hearing loss disability is granted. The rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine remains at 40 percent, but a higher rating is granted for left lower extremity neurological impairment.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and examination, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The service connection issue will be reconsidered after resolving the eligibility for pension purposes.

The Veteran's service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The Veteran's increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, right ankle osteoarthritis and Achilles tendonitis, left ankle osteoarthritis, and pseudofolliculitis barbae are also granted.

The Board has denied service connection for a back disability and denied entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The case is remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's PTSD, including whether his substance abuse is related to or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar strain and left knee DJD, as well as his claim for TDIU due to service-connected disability. Additional evidence is needed from VA treatment records, and a new examination is required.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional examinations, consideration of new evidence, and clarification regarding when his service-connected disabilities worsened.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back disability, including disability of the thoracolumbar spine. The case is being sent back for further examination and consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability and bilateral hip strain due to inadequate examinations in 2013, 2015, and 2018. The Veteran must be provided with updated VA examinations to address all relevant Diagnostic Codes.

The Board has granted service connection for renal cell carcinoma and lytic lesions of the cervical spine, left hip, lumbar spine, right shoulder, and skull as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected renal cell carcinoma.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease with arthritic changes prior to December 8, 2016 is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for degenerative disc disease with arthritic changes subsequent to December 8, 2016 is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is denied.

The Veteran's back disability is granted as service-connected. The left knee and psychiatric disabilities are remanded for further evaluation.