Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The decision found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim for a back disability. For the other conditions, the Board determined there was no in-service injury or disease related to these disabilities.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and asthma are inadequate. The claims must be remanded to obtain new examinations with proper opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded two issues: entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic low back strain with degenerative arthritis and entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran needs to provide VA treatment records from the period November 2009 to present, complete a VA Form 21-4142 for all medical facilities he has been seen at during the appeal, and undergo an examination for his low back and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability as secondary to his service-connected left hip disability due to lack of evidence showing that the current condition was caused or aggravated by the service-connected condition.

The Veteran's chronic gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, diagnosed as GERD and esophagitis, are the result of his active service. His left knee disorder, kidney disorder, low back disorder, and hepatitis B have also been found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for his right knee disability, as well as his TDIU claim are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal of the issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis has been withdrawn. The remaining claims of service connection for a back disability, hysterectomy, and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for migraines are being remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for appropriate examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, degenerative joint disease of the right hip, left hip, right knee, left knee, right ankle, left ankle, cervical spine, and lumbar spine. However, it has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to lack of evidence establishing a current disability and/or a link between the claimed conditions and service. The Board found that new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim for PTSD, but did not find any material evidence relating to the left hip disorder.

The Veteran's appeals regarding increased ratings for his lumbosacral strain, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right lower and left lower extremity nerve impairments have been withdrawn. The Veteran is not found to be unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), chest pain, and left ankle disability. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the Veteran's claims may be adjudicated on the merits. This includes obtaining missing service treatment records and conducting VA examinations for hearing loss, sleep apnea, and a back condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to assess his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and clarification of her psychiatric, back, and hip disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, back disability, sleep apnea, high cholesterol, prostate disability, diabetes mellitus, type II, headaches, and organic mental disorder have all been denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current conditions and his active service.

The Veteran's left knee and lumbar spine disabilities are found to be secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including a VA examination and obtaining a medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the impact of her service-connected disabilities on her ability to work.

The Veteran's service-connected cyclothymic disorder with insomnia is granted, and he is assigned a 10 percent rating effective July 3, 1997. The Veteran's muscle spasms and joint pain are found to be due to his service-connected cervical spine degenerative disc disease, bilateral shoulder degenerative joint disease, bilateral lateral epicondylitis, and ORIF of the right ankle.