Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, Social Security Administration records, and a supplemental VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection of degenerative disc disease of the low back. The Veteran's eczematous dermatitis of both lower extremities, including the feet, was incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder, including disc pathology, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not related to any occurrence or event therein. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine and right knee disabilities are related to service, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disorder, premature ventricular contractions, excessive potassium levels, and kidney disorder. The claim for left knee disorder is being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with major depression and panic disorder with agoraphobia, degenerative disc disease and spondylosis in lower cervical spine, arthritis right foot (status post crush injury and reconstructive surgery to right great toe), and degenerative joint disease, right knee, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral knee arthritis, neck arthritis, and lumbar disc disease. The Board has determined that additional development is needed as the current VA examination did not adequately address the relationship between his service-connected left ankle disability and these conditions.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for shoulder, back, and neck disabilities but finds that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated during military service.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The Board has determined that further development, including a new VA examination, is necessary to properly adjudicate his claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination for back disability and unclear diagnosis of heart disorder. The Veteran is scheduled for a VA examination to address these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including DDD of the lumbosacral spine and coronary artery disease, preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's low back disability was found to be incurred in service, and the Board granted service connection for degenerative disease of the lumbar spine. The issue of bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and SSA disability benefits file. The Veteran's claims will be readjudicated after this is completed.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than June 25, 2010 for the assignment of a 10 percent rating for service-connected external hemorrhoids is denied.,For hearing loss in the right ear prior to April 28, 2016 and a rating in excess of 70 percent for bilateral hearing loss thereafter, the Veteran's claim is denied. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating or a rating in excess of 70 percent during the appeal period.,For lumbar spine disability, the Veteran's claim is denied as his service-connected lumbar spine disability has not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent at any time during the appeal period. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for an increased rating due to IVDS with incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 4 weeks during the past 12 months, forward flexion of the lumbar spine limited to 30 degrees, ankylosis, or neurologic abnormalities (other than radiculopathy of the lower extremities).,For right leg sciatica and left leg radiculopathy, the Veteran's claim is denied as his service-connected disabilities have not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent at any time during the appeal period. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for an increased rating due to at least moderately severe incomplete paralysis.,The Veteran's claims for residuals of a stroke, right shoulder disorder, and prostate disorder are addressed separately.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed lumbar spine disorder or residuals of a partial right parotidectomy, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for back disability, heart condition (hypertension), diabetes type II, and Parkinsonism. The Veteran's private physician provided opinions linking these conditions to his military service. However, dyslipidemia is not a qualifying disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a back condition requires additional development, including an examination and etiology opinion.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating and earlier effective date for her lumbar spine disability have been denied. The Board also found that she does not have a current diagnosis of a bilateral lower extremity disorder.