Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee disability, neurological disorder of the bilateral upper extremities, and low back disability is denied as there is no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and procurement of outstanding private treatment records.

The Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU rating due to his service-connected back, hip, and knee disabilities that limit his ability to work.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's private medical records related to his claimed conditions. The appeal will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD was granted effective from December 22, 1997. Service connection for right and left eye disabilities as well as a low back disability have been denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings on his right shoulder, low back, and right knee disabilities has been withdrawn. The Board dismissed the claim as it pertains to the right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple issues has been granted, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Board also found that the Veteran's back disability is related to his in-service examination, and his right and left knee disabilities are secondary to his back disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as for updated medical records.

The Board has determined that an effective date earlier than August 27, 2013, for the award of service connection for a low back disability is not warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (low back, knees, hearing loss, and PTSD) preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's current neck disability, including degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, is related to his active duty service. The claim for service connection must be denied.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased initial ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and right shoulder arthritis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, or a shoulder disability.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to cause his nightmares and sleep disturbance.,Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was not diagnosed during service or for many years thereafter, and the evidence does not support a finding of service connection.,Crohn's disease was not diagnosed during service or for many years thereafter, and the evidence does not support a finding of service connection.,The Veteran's low back disability is found to be unrelated to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling new examinations and obtaining VA treatment records.

The Board found that the Veteran's back disorder and bilateral hearing loss were not incurred or aggravated by service, respectively. The claim for service connection for a back disorder was denied as there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease resulting in current disability. For his bilateral hearing loss, the initial noncompensable rating was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional VA and private medical records, as well as service personnel records. The appellant's claims will be readjudicated based on the updated evidence.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate and whether there are any new or material pieces of evidence for his service connection claims. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The lumbar spine disability was rated as 20 percent disabling, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5243.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims will be adjudicated again based on this new evidence.