Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and a need for additional examination. The Veteran's low back disability is considered presumptively service-connected if diagnosed within one year of discharge, but there are no definitive records from 2000.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for back disability and memory issue, but has remanded both issues due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, Lumbar Spine Disability, and Bilateral Hearing Loss due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, finding that the preponderance of evidence does not support a link between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and associated radiculopathy are rated at 10% each, with no higher ratings granted.

The Veteran's GERD is granted service connection. The lumbar spine disability is granted for a rating of 20% prior to May 12, 2016 and 10% thereafter. Radiculopathy in the left lower extremity is granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions. The lumbar spine, thoracic spine, and left ankle disabilities are also being remanded.

The reduction from a 50 percent rating for hearing loss to zero percent was proper. The Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee, right knee, left foot, right foot, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disorders are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for tension headaches is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a new VA audiological examination and opinion.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disorder, left ankle disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, carpal tunnel syndrome of the hands, low back disorder, hypertension, varicose veins, pulmonary sarcoidosis, and left foot disorder are all remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right hand carpal tunnel syndrome, right ankle disorder, right knee disorder, right foot disorder (pes planus), and right varicose veins are not addressed as they do not involve secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to inadequate examination findings regarding flare-ups and functional loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for further development and consideration.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disability, neck sprain, and acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, and Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia). The case is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder. Service connection is denied for low back pain, popliteal thrombosis of the right leg, and Barrett's esophagus.

The Board denied service connection for headaches as the Veteran did not present evidence of a current disability and no nexus to service. The right ankle rating was reduced from 20% to 10%, but restored due to lack of proper procedural steps.,For the period prior to April 27, 2016, the Veteran's TDIU claim was granted as his disabilities affected a single body system and were severe enough to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease was previously evaluated at a 10% rating, but the Board has determined that a higher 20% rating is warranted for the period from April 21, 2008 to January 26, 2011. The case is remanded for further examination and evaluation of the Veteran's condition since January 27, 2011.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been granted service connection.,Other conditions, including right hand surgery residuals, lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, left flexor hallucis longus tendonitis, and right flexor hallucis longus tendonitis, are also granted service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain and service connection for a psychiatric disorder is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, Spondylosis with DDD, Right Shoulder Strain, and Pilonidal Cyst were granted effective December 16, 2011. The rating for PTSD was denied in excess of 70 percent, the rating for Spondylosis with DDD prior to June 11, 2015 was denied in excess of 10 percent, and the rating since June 11, 2015 was denied in excess of 20 percent. The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including COPD, aortic stenosis, sleep apnea, and depression have been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The hearing loss and tinnitus ratings remain denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a right knee disorder, cervical spine condition, back condition, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety and depressive disorder), stomach condition, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, right wrist condition, left wrist condition, chronic fatigue, and sleep apnea. The Board also denied reopening the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disorder.