Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back and right leg conditions due to new evidence submitted. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current back disability is related to symptoms reported after service.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private hospital for headaches are being remanded due to the inextricably intertwined nature of this claim with his service connection claim. The decision on the service connection issue will impact the reimbursement claim.

The Veteran's chronic headaches are granted a 30 percent rating beginning September 19, 2014. The Veteran's lumbosacral DDD with lumbosacral strain is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. His rating for the lumbar spine disability remains at 20 percent, and he does not meet criteria for higher ratings or SMC based on erectile dysfunction.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for DM and a heart disability, including ischemic heart disease. The back disability claim is remanded due to conflicting medical evidence regarding its etiology.

The Board denied reopening a previously denied claim of service connection for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine because no new and material evidence was submitted to establish a link between the current condition and an in-service motor vehicle accident.

The Veteran's depressive disorder, NOS is granted as secondary to his service-connected back and right shoulder disabilities. The rating for spondylosis of the lumbar spine remains at 20 percent, while the rating for degenerative joint disease, right shoulder, also remains at 20 percent.

The Board denied reopening the claims for service connection for low back and bilateral hip disabilities, to include as secondary to a left knee disability due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for an increased rating for tinnitus was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, sleep apnea, and hypertension (claimed as high blood pressure), finding that the Veteran's conditions are at least in equipoise with evidence of onset during active duty service.,Service connection is established based on the presumption of soundness under 38 U.S.C. § 1112 for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, sleep apnea, and hypertension (claimed as high blood pressure).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected back disability is etiologically related to her active military service, and thus grants her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD rating is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining recent VA treatment records and a new examination. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to the inferred nature of the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hip arthritis and total hip replacement, as well as his low back disorder, are related to his service-connected residuals of a shell fragment wound (SFW) of the left thigh and knee. The appeal is granted for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions including back disorder, tinnitus, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, and nerve disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spasm, spondylosis, discogenic disease C5-C6 by x-rays (neck condition) and low back disability as the Veteran's conditions did not have their onset during active service or were not related to active service.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to decide whether the Veteran qualifies for vocational rehabilitation services due to his service-connected disabilities and work history. The case is being remanded for further evaluation by a VRC or CP.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and back condition claims. The Veteran will need to undergo further examination to determine if his current conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder, left elbow, and right elbow disabilities are not related to his active service. The lumbosacral strain (low back condition) is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need to obtain post-service treatment records from the Department of Defense.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the cervical spine were denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen these previously denied claims.