Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection is being remanded due to outstanding private treatment records. The Board cannot make a fully-informed decision without these records.

Service connection for left knee, right knee, left shoulder, and right shoulder disorders is denied.,Service connection for back disorder is denied as not caused or aggravated by service-connected hernia disability. Service connection for groin disorder is denied as separate from the Veteran’s service-connected hernia.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for DDD of the lumbar spine, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine or Diagnostic Codes pertaining to knee disorders.

The Board has granted the Veteran's applications to reopen his claims for service connection for low back disorder, left foot disorder, and migraine headaches. The application for hepatitis C was denied as new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and sleep apnea are rated at 40% each, resulting in a combined rating of 80%. The Board denied the claim for TDIU as there is no evidence that his service-connected disabilities alone preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, low back disability, and hernia as there was no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service. The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disabilities.

Effective March 11, 2014, the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is granted a 40% rating. The right knee patellar chondromalacia remains at a 10% rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine DJD and right knee disability were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current functional limitations.

The Veteran's appeals for left heel spurs, right heel spurs, and hypertension have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeal.,Tinnitus has been granted as service connected.,PTSD has been granted as service connected.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence. The appellant's STRs and records from his periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA need to be verified.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for a retrospective opinion on the severity of the Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease prior to November 28, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder is granted and reopened, but the issue of whether his current condition is related to his military service remains pending. The Board has ordered a VA examination to determine the etiology of his back disorder.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for depressive disorder due to new and material evidence. The claims for service connection for a back disability, neck disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded as there is insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine spondylosis and low back disability, as well as his claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, are remanded. The VA will obtain additional medical evidence, conduct a new examination, and readjudicate the claims.

The Veteran's back and neck disabilities have not met the criteria for higher disability ratings.,Specifically, his cervical radiculopathy of both upper extremities has not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent since April 7, 2017.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for allergic rhinitis, increased ratings for right shoulder and left knee disabilities, and increased rating for hemorrhoids. The claim to reopen and grant service connection for low back disability was granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and inextricably intertwined issues. The cervical spine claim will be adjudicated first, followed by the migraine headaches claim.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disability, but remanded the issue of secondary service connection for sleep apnea to PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include left arm disability, back disability, vision disability, heart disability, hypertension, and benign prostatic hypertrophy.

The Board granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease but remanded the issue of service connection for blood poisoning due to infection.