Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical evidence and a need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's back disability is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The evidence does not support a higher rating based on current functional impairment.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for the Veteran's claimed low back and bilateral knee disabilities. Service connection is not granted for a sleep disorder or headaches, as there is no current disability diagnosed. The claim of service connection for an eye disability is denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before a decision can be made regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracolumbar degenerative changes and left pelvis injury. The case will be remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records, as well as a VA examination to determine the etiology of these disabilities.

The Veteran's back disability is service-connected as secondary to her left knee disability.,Her right knee and right hip bursitis are both service-connected, with the right knee disability also being granted a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's panic disorder is rated at 70 percent from April 19, 2011 to March 5, 2012. The rating for lumbosacral strain remains at 40 percent. The ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy remain at 10 percent each. The Veteran is granted TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to his failure to report for a scheduled VA examination. The claims will be reconsidered after the examinations are completed.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection of low back, right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left ankle disorders. Resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, the Board finds that his current diagnoses are directly related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for increased ratings on all three issues during the November 2017 Board hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations to assess the current severity of his lumbar spine and left knee disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, erectile dysfunction, and nerve damage due to lack of evidence showing that these conditions were aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's renal cell carcinoma is presumed to have been incurred in service, and the Board finds that he is entitled to service connection for this condition. The low back disability is secondary to his service-connected renal cell carcinoma.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss warrants no compensable rating. The decision is based on the evidence showing current disabilities consistent with in-service injuries, but without clear medical nexus to those events.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a chronic low back condition and finds that the evidence supports this claim, granting service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability due to new and material evidence. However, the claims for service connection for cervical spine and headache disabilities have been denied as they are not related to service or willful misconduct.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of degenerative disc disease, vertebral subluxation complexes and myofascial pain syndrome are related to his military service.

The Veteran's back disability is currently rated at 10 percent prior to December 1, 2014 and at 40 percent thereafter. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted based on the evidence provided.

The Veteran's chronic lower back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, citing that he is already receiving compensation and does not want to move forward with the claims.