Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a back disorder, respiratory disorder (asbestosis), hypertension, kidney disorder, diabetes mellitus, left and right lower extremity disorders, are all denied as there is no evidence of current diagnoses or service connection.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease was denied. The petition to reopen the claim for headaches was granted, but the claim for sleep apnea remains not established. Service connection for left varicocele and recurrent low back strain with mechanical low back pain and lumbar spasm were both denied.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims of service connection for a back disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and neck disability due to outstanding records.

The Veteran withdrew his service connection claims for bilateral hip disorders and an increased rating claim for a lumbar spine disability before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for tinnitus service connection is denied.,Service connection for a back disability and headaches is denied as the evidence does not establish that these conditions were incurred during active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable since July 2, 2014, and a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability is granted.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and degenerative disc disease, lumbosacral spine with L5-S1 radiculopathy are granted service connection. The rating for the back disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for back disability, psychiatric disability (depression and alcohol abuse disorder), headaches, hypertension, and diabetes have been granted. The diagnoses of depression and alcohol abuse disorder are linked to service-connected conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to in-service noise exposure. The appeal for service connection for a back condition is remanded as there are outstanding VA treatment records that need to be obtained.

Service connection for intervertebral disc disease of the lumbar spine, including foraminal stenosis and disc bulges at L3-L4 and L4-L5 is granted. The claim for an initial compensable disability evaluation for hearing loss in the left ear is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination reports and requests for clarification on the etiology of the Veteran's low back and bilateral hip disabilities, which are secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric conditions, including PTSD and depression, are granted as service connected. The low back disability and bilateral knee disabilities are denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and PTSD are all granted as service-connected.,Left foot tendonitis, right foot tendonitis, neck disability, low back disability, bilateral pes planus, left heel calcaneal spur, right heel calcaneal spur, and hemorrhoids remain pending for further development.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is rated at 10 percent and the left lower extremity at 20 percent. The Board finds that these ratings are appropriate given the current findings.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The VA has remanded for further examinations and evaluations of the Veteran's knees, feet, back, and hips.

The Veteran's 40 percent rating for chronic lumbosacral strain/sprain syndrome with degenerative joint disease (back disability) was restored effective May 1, 2016.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbosacral or cervical strain condition is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include right shoulder, back, bilateral knee disorders, and initial rating for right ankle strain.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for polycystic kidney disease has been reopened. The ratings for PTSD, lumbar spine disability, and right knee patellofemoral syndrome have been remanded.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's dental condition, lumbar spine disorder, hernia condition, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome as there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.