Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board dismissed the claims of service connection for left thigh and chronic sinusitis as they were fully granted in prior rating decisions. The claims of service connection for left hip strain and left knee strain are granted, with a finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during service. The claim of service connection for low back disorder is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a back disability and a higher rating for bilateral foot disability due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition, diabetes mellitus, type II, and bilateral lower extremity sciatica as secondary to his service-connected psoriasis.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The remaining issues of low back disability, right leg disability, left leg disability, and right ankle disability are remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate VA examinations and failure to address certain theories of entitlement.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for PTSD, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, right foot hallux valgus, left bunionectomy with hallux valgus, and TDIU due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected disabilities, including psychiatric disability, right shoulder disorder, lumbar spine with associated bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, gastritis, knee disorders, and testicle pain. The Board has referred these issues for further adjudication due to the need for additional records from SSA.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension, a low back disorder, and a right foot disorder due to incomplete development and lack of medical opinions.

The Board has denied a higher disability rating for Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) and dismissed the claim of service connection for Sciatic nerve impairment of the left lower extremity as moot due to the grant of service connection.

The Veteran is denied an effective date earlier than September 22, 2015 for the grant of a 100 percent rating for PTSD.,The Veteran is denied an effective date earlier than September 22, 2015 for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.,The Veteran is denied an effective date earlier than September 22, 2015 for the grant of service connection for left knee instability.,The Veteran is denied an effective date earlier than September 22, 2015 for the grant of service connection for left knee limitation of flexion.,The Veteran is denied an effective date earlier than September 22, 2015 for the grant of service connection for lumbar strain.,The Veteran is denied an effective date earlier than September 22, 2015 for the grant of service connection for right knee arthritis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lower back disorder, finding that there is no evidence indicating that the disability may be associated with an event, injury, or disease in service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the severity and frequency of flare-ups, which could affect the range of motion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for gout of the bilateral feet, back disability, left shoulder disability, and TDIU due to incomplete records and inadequate examination reports. The issues are now before the AOJ for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for a low back disability and remanded the claims of an initial compensable rating for post-traumatic arthritis of the right long finger and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, finding that no communication relating to unemployability existed between the January 2011 rating decision and the May 2014 claim. The combined rating of his service connected disorders did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU prior to May 19, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for left hip disability, right hip disability, cervical spine fusion for degenerative disc disease, and right knee arthritis have been granted.,The claim for erectile dysfunction remains denied.

The Board has restored a 20 percent disability rating for chronic lumbar strain effective November 1, 2014, as the evidence did not show an actual improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a low back disability manifested by pain (other than that contemplated by already service-connected muscle and joint stiffness based on widespread musculoskeletal pain) that is etiologically related to his period of active duty service, including as due to an undiagnosed illness.,The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's tinnitus is due to acoustic trauma in service or an undiagnosed illness.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right wrist, right ankle, and low back disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing a current disability related to military service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for lumbar spine disability and right knee disability.