Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether service connection for a low back disability is warranted, and thus grants the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine are not service-connected, but his tinnitus is service-connected.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to conflicting medical opinions and a need for updated examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a low back disability. The Veteran's claims are supported by competent medical evidence that links his current conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's low back disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and is not etiologically related to service.,Prior to November 5, 2015, the Veteran's PFB was manifested by subjective complaints of irritation with or without shaving, itching, and stinging; objective findings reflect treatment with topical medication and involvement of a body area of less than five percent.

The Board has been notified of the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal, and thus the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for several conditions, including right arm and shoulder disabilities. The claim to reopen service connection for a right knee disability was denied as new and material evidence has not been received.

The Veteran's appeals regarding hypertension, migraine headaches, heart disability, and low back condition were dismissed as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is not etiologically related to his active duty service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to concerns about the adequacy of a VA examination and the need for an addendum opinion.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical records and need for new examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, including lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, is related to his military service.,The Board has also determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability, including cervical spine spondylosis, is related to his military service and/or his low back disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been denied.,The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings for any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to failure to substantially comply with prior remand directives.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability and arthritis of the right knee are etiologically linked to his service-connected foot condition (pes planus with arthritis). As a result, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board found that the Appellant did not have current bilateral hearing loss and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The remaining issues were also addressed but are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for thoracolumbar spine degenerative joint disease with spondylolisthesis, right knee arthritis, and left knee arthritis were denied. Service connection for cervical myelopathy was also not established as secondary to service-connected cervical spondylosis.

The Veteran's intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 10 percent, and no higher. The VA examiner found that the Veteran has flexion to 70 degrees with painful motion on bending.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 20 percent prior to January 22, 2015 and at 40 percent thereafter. The Board has determined that the current ratings are appropriate for this period.