Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was previously rated at 20 percent from February 7, 2008, to June 6, 2012. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, left leg condition, and bilateral vision loss due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, effective April 2, 2018. The lumbar spine disability was granted an initial rating of 20 percent from March 9, 2016 onwards for radiculopathy associated with the IVDS. No higher ratings are warranted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical and lumbar spine conditions, as well as service connection for neurological damage to the arms and legs, bilateral hip disability, bilateral ankle disability, and osteoarthritis of the knees are denied.,The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a bilateral shoulder disability or bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is not compensable, and his low back disability has been rated at 20% prior to April 28, 2014, and 40% thereafter.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, is related to his active service. The claim for psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was also granted.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a back disability and secondary service connection for bilateral leg and foot disabilities. The case has been remanded to provide the Veteran with a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his back disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II was denied as there is no evidence that it was incurred during or within one year following his military service. The Board found the VA examiner's opinion to be highly probative and against the Veteran's claim.

The Veteran's left shoulder arthritis, right shoulder arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the back were all found to have their onset during service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, a back disability, peripheral neuropathy of the lower left and right extremities, as well as his claim for an increased rating for hemorrhoids.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a low back disorder and granted it. The Veteran's sleep apnea is not service connected, but secondary to his service-connected GAD. Meningitis and sarcoidosis are not found to be related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease, as well as his claim for a lumbar spine disability. The decisions are based on lack of evidence showing in-service exposure to herbicide agents or an established relationship between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's low back and left knee disorders are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and obtaining medical opinions regarding the relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected low back disability, finding that his current employment does not meet the criteria for unemployability.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for his lumbar spine disability was denied. The issue regarding the reopening of his hemorrhoids claim is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient review of medical records and failure to provide a VA medical opinion. The Veteran's low back disability is being reviewed for possible service connection.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was granted with an effective date of August 8, 2011. The Board found that the November 2007 rating decision denying service connection for a left ankle disorder did not contain CUE and denied reopening the claim for a left ankle disorder.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection and increased ratings on a substitution basis, finding that she did not qualify as a child or have expenses related to her mother's last sickness and burial.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected back disability and lower left extremity radiculopathy do not warrant a higher initial rating during any part of the appeal period.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease and right lumbosacral radiculopathy have been evaluated based on their current manifestations, with the highest ratings granted for each condition.