Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates were denied, but granted.,Effective from July 20, 2004, the Veteran is now receiving service connection for his low back and neck conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for a low back disability, including as due to a service-connected bilateral ankle disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination and the obtaining of additional medical records. The issues on appeal are related to service connection for various foot, knee, hip, and back disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including whether they are related to service. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected cervical spine disability. The TDIU claim will also be reconsidered.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions including left shoulder, thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine, bilateral upper and lower extremities, hip, leg/knee, right ankle, and foot disorders. The decision was based on the lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected, as there is at least a 50% likelihood it was caused by his military service.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain, characterized as spondylolisthesis. The claim for an increased initial rating for arteriosclerotic heart disease was dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and left leg femoral cutaneous nerve entrapment. This includes obtaining his complete military records, including all relevant periods of active duty, active duty for training, and inactive duty for training; obtaining any outstanding VA treatment records; and scheduling him for a VA examination to assess his claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated medical records and seeking SSA disability determination records.

The Veteran is granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and an effective date of May 17, 2011 for the increased rating of PTSD.,Obstructive sleep apnea was found to be less likely than not caused by or aggravated by the Veteran's PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal involves three issues: service connection for a lumbar spine disability, residuals of a left foot laceration with scarring, and bilateral hearing loss. The case is being remanded to obtain additional development including service personnel records, VA examinations, and audiogram results.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to active service.,The Veteran's preexisting lumbar spine disorder was not aggravated by active duty service. The cervical, knee, hip, stomach, headache, and right shoulder disorders were not shown in service or for many years thereafter.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The Board found that the Veteran's low back disorder is related to his in-service injury, and as such, the cervical spine and left hip disorders are also considered secondary to this condition.

The Veteran's diabetes, tinnitus, hearing loss, hemorrhoids, hand blisters, and a lung disability to include asbestosis were found to have their onset in service or are related to an in-service event. The upper and lower extremity neuropathies, vision problems including retinopathy, and atherosclerosis including coronary artery disease and peripheral artery disease are caused or aggravated by the now sevice-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and treatment records.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current tension headaches and DDD of the cervical spine, as well as whether these conditions are secondary to his service-connected right shoulder separation with DJD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, hypertension, and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since November 6, 2013. Additionally, his need for aid and attendance of another person due to his physical limitations has been established.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to concerns about the Veteran's back disability worsening. A new VA examination is needed to assess his current condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability did not have its onset during service or within one year of discharge, and is not related to his service-connected stress fractures of the lower extremities. The evidence does not support a finding of secondary service connection.