Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for lumbar stenosis, cervical scoliosis (claimed as neck pain), right eye macular scar and hole, and traumatic brain injury.,There is no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's laceration and tendon injury of the index and middle fingers, right (major) hand is not rated higher than 10 percent prior to March 7, 2018, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's spondylolisthesis of the lumbosacral spine does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent.,The Veteran's left knee injury is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a cervical spine disability and sleep disorder has been withdrawn.,The request to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension has been granted, but the issue remains remanded due to lack of evidence linking hypertension to service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for additional examinations and development of records. The Veteran's claims include service connection for a back disability as secondary to his left knee disability, and rating issues for his right and left knees.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU related to his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine with intervertebral disk syndrome (IVDS), lumbar stenosis, and lumbar spondylolisthesis is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the spine and bilateral lower extremity sciatica, finding no evidence linking these conditions to active duty service or exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,Service connection was also denied for neuropathy, with the Board noting that there is no current diagnosis of this condition.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including right shoulder, back, neck, and psychiatric conditions. The claims are being remanded for additional examinations and consideration.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of various conditions has been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.

The Veteran's right knee arthritis is currently rated as noncompensable prior to November 17, 2014 and at a 30 percent rating from January 1, 2016. The appeal period for these ratings ends on the date of his increased rating claim.,The Veteran's low back disability is not yet rated under any specific diagnostic code. His status post gall bladder removal has been rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, including back pain, radiculopathy, and knee strain.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if any of the service-connected disabilities are related to military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including left hand contusion, cervical spine disability, lumbar and thoracic spine disabilities, bilateral foot disabilities, sleep apnea, and bronchitis. The reasons given were that there was no current evidence to support these claims or a link between the conditions and service.

The claim for service connection of low back disability is granted.,The cause of death due to bladder cancer is remanded as a VA medical opinion is needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development of evidence, including a new VA examination to determine if his lower back condition is related to his service-connected right knee disability or if it was permanently aggravated by it.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to service-connected sarcoidosis.,Greater trochanteric bursitis of the right hip and left hip are each rated at 10%.,Low back pain with degenerative joint disease does not meet criteria for a higher rating.,Left knee and right knee degenerative joint diseases are remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for low back syndrome, limitation of motion of the dorsal spine, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the claim for increased ratings for low back syndrome.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination and updated treatment records to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with spondylosis at the L5.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, finding that the current condition is related to an injury sustained during INACDUTRA in 1995. The decision resolves all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's low back disability, left knee disability, and headaches have been granted service connection.,Service connection for the Veteran’s low back disability is established based on evidence showing a relationship between his active duty service and his current condition. The same applies to his left knee disability and headaches.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus, a low back disorder, and both lower extremity peripheral vascular diseases. The Veteran's preexisting conditions were not shown to have worsened during service or post-service.