Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings for his left index finger disability, service connection for his left ankle and low back disabilities. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin condition, back disability, and right shoulder disability. The evidence does not support finding that these conditions are related to service or any other presumptive basis.

The Board found no evidence of current disabilities related to the Veteran's claimed right leg, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The lower back disability was not service connected as it is not linked to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of hearing loss, foot disability other than flat feet, or a current foot disability other than flat feet. Service connection was not granted for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, vision loss, laxity of the right knee, or recurrent low back pain with history of muscle strain.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for low back and right knee disabilities, but further development is needed to consider additional evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed back disorder or left shoulder sprain, and therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be established.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain service treatment records and VA treatment records, as well as verify the Veteran's periods of active duty and reserve service. The claims for service connection will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to outstanding records and the need for additional VA examinations. The issues of service connection for sexual dysfunction secondary to lumbar DDD, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar DDD without radiculopathy are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed lower back and left hip disorders are not related to her service or any service-connected conditions, thus denying her claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations to assess the severity of his lumbosacral spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, and right ankle disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete or conflicting evidence, and further examination is needed for some issues.

The Board has granted service connection for depression, right shoulder disability, OSA, and alcohol dependence as due to PTSD. Service connection was denied for pes planus, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, and back disability (scoliosis).

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for acquired bilateral flat foot, right leg neuropathy, and left arm neuropathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his exposure to noise trauma during service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The claims of service connection for a back disability, right foot disability, and left leg numbness/radiating pain as secondary to a back disability are remanded due to incomplete records and need further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability and granted it, finding that new and material evidence had been received. The Veteran was previously denied service connection due to lack of evidence of a diagnosed condition.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current low back disability is due to injury occurred in the line of duty during his active military service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disk disease of the lumbar spine was granted, with a current effective date not specified. A separate rating of 10 percent is assigned for right lower extremity radiculopathy related to service-connected lumbar spine condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and treatment records, as well as further development of his claims.