Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and a left hip disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.

The appeal is dismissed with respect to the issues of service connection for low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for diverticulitis and resulting colostomy.

The Veteran's claim for a VA annual clothing allowance in 2015 is granted because his back brace, used due to service-connected chronic lumbar syndrome, causes wear and tear on his clothing.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar back was reopened and denied due to lack of a current disability, no in-service injury or event, and no causal relationship between the condition and service.

The Board denied service connection for low back disability and bilateral hearing loss, but granted a 10% rating for right foot disability prior to May 26, 2016. The Veteran's PTSD claim is remanded due to inadequate medical evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and denied claims for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and diverticulosis. The claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied as the Veteran's current tinnitus is not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's back disability is caused or aggravated by his service-connected pes planus and bilateral ankle disabilities. The Veteran was noted to limp in 2008, 2009, and 2010, and a private podiatrist report indicated that his gait strain may have contributed to his back disability.

The Board has restored the ratings for lumbosacral strain and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, but has remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and conduct further examinations.

The Veteran's low back strain is currently rated at 40 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as her symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a 50 percent disability rating due to unfavorable ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee disability. Service connections for lower back condition, bilateral foot condition, and pulmonary hypertension are remanded.

Service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease has been granted. The Board also remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions secondary to thyroid cancer.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, but denied the claim as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spine disability, and low back disability. The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for sleep apnea, respiratory disability, back disability, fungal infection of the bilateral feet, and acquired psychiatric disability due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected right shoulder strain with degenerative arthritis and lumbar degenerative disc disease are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of recent evidence.

The Board denied service connection for low back strain and cervical spondylosis, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and the appellant's military service.

Degenerative disc disease of the lumber spine, allergic rhinitis, and restless leg syndrome (left and right lower extremities) to include radiculopathy have been granted service connection. Kidney reflux disease and urinary tract infection have not been granted service connection.,Bipolar disorder has been granted service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic low back strain is granted an evaluation of 40 percent, effective May 16, 2014. The right ankle disability with degenerative arthritis is granted a 30 percent evaluation beginning April 26, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of recurrent lumbar strain, residuals of right knee surgery, and recurrent synovitis of the left ankle have been remanded.,Issues related to PTSD, TDIU, service connection for lumbar strain, right knee surgery, and recurrent synovitis of the left ankle are also being remanded.