Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine were denied initial compensable evaluations. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet criteria for a higher evaluation based on his audiometric test results and range of motion findings.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's testimony regarding parachute jumps during active duty is considered in determining whether his current disabilities are related to military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted as secondary to his service-connected TBI.,The Veteran's low back and left knee disorders have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's skin disorder is granted with a 10% rating. The claim for service connection for back disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for low back and right knee disorders due to the need for additional medical opinions and treatment records.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for residuals of a left wrist injury, lumbar spine disability, and ankle disabilities. The claim for PTSD is also being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and an increased rating for his back disability due to incomplete VA examinations and conflicting evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, to include lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD), degenerative joint disease (DJD), facet joint syndrome (FJS), facet arthropathy, polyradiculopathy, and spondylosis is granted. The case is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left ankle disability, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, pain and numbness of bilateral upper extremities, and pain and numbness of bilateral lower extremities. The decision also noted that new evidence had not been received to reopen a claim for left ankle disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his low back disability and PTSD, as well as his TDIU claim, are being remanded due to procedural issues. The VA is instructed to schedule the Veteran for examinations to assess the severity of his disabilities and then readjudicate the cases.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is remanded due to a possible material change in the condition since the last examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of low back injury with herniated nucleus pulposus L4-L5 and degenerative changes is dismissed. The Veteran's left shoulder condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for Degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the cervical spine, Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine, Hypertension, and Hemorrhoids. The evidence submitted was not considered new and material.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of his lumbar spine, bilateral knee disabilities, and their impact on employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his right femur fracture, as well as his back and right knee disabilities. The appeals are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for additional development.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a chronic low back strain has been reopened and granted. The Board found that the current diagnosis of chronic low back strain is related to an in-service injury, and thus grants service connection.

The claim for service connection for a left knee disability is reopened, and the appeal is granted to this extent. The low back and bilateral hip disabilities are remanded.

The petition to reopen the previously denied service connection claim for a lumbar spine disability is granted. Service connection for a cervical spine disability and sleep apnea are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, but has remanded the issue of chronic epididymitis with transient hydrocele.