Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and requests for authorization of private treatment records. A medical examination is also required.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease, L5-S1, to include intervertebral disc syndrome of the low back is remanded due to incomplete examination records and a need for further evaluation.

The claim for service connection of a low back disability is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion. The claim for increased rating of facial acne scars is also remanded.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and bilateral foot dermatitis need further evaluation due to recent testimony indicating an increase in severity since his last VA examination. The case is being sent back for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service connected. The low back and right knee disability claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities are not related to service.,PTSD was remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to a lack of VA examination. The Veteran's claim remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board has ordered a remand to obtain updated evidence and a VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection due to lack of communication from the Veteran prior to September 25, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability has been rated as degenerative arthritis, with associated radiculopathy and erectile dysfunction. The appeal is granted for increased ratings.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for left knee instability and separate ratings of 10 percent each for painful flexion and frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion. The claim for service connection for low back strain is reopened due to the receipt of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability and determine if there are any flare-ups or functional limitations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining new VA examination reports and consideration of the newly added medical records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, but denied them as new and material evidence was not received within one year of the March 2003 rating decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and lumbar myositis are related to his active service, warranting service connection. The testicular condition is also considered for service connection as it may be secondary to his hernia residuals.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disorder due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial. However, the claim remains denied as there is no evidence linking an in-service event to current symptoms.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for a heart attack was denied because there is insufficient evidence showing that he had any heart issues during his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The case is being remanded to obtain an addendum opinion from a VA physician regarding whether the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service activities, including back pain noted in STRs.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability, right leg radiculopathy, and left leg radiculopathy have been denied as the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's low back disability was evaluated at a 10 percent rating prior to January 12, 2016 and at a 40 percent rating from that date. The issues of service connection for bilateral foot disorder were not addressed.,Service connection for the Veteran's low back disability was denied as there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease, nor any continuity of symptomatology. Service connection for his bilateral foot disorder was also denied due to lack of a link between the disorders and service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.