Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, scar on chin, and bilateral foot condition as there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for a left ankle disability was dismissed. The Board also remanded several issues of service connection, including for lower back, right shoulder, right hip, right ankle, bilateral knee, and bilateral foot disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee disorder, diagnosed as degenerative osteoarthritis, is granted service connection. The Board also found that her low back and right hip disorders are related to her service-connected right knee disorder.

The Veteran's postoperative right shoulder dislocation with early degenerative changes is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,Service connection for a right hand disability is remanded as there are no current medical records or findings to support such an entitlement.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and low back disorder as the medical evidence did not support a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board denied service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disorders as there was no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service, and the current conditions are not related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for coccygeal strain, lumbar strain, left hip DJD status post stress fracture, and acne dermatillomania as secondary to service-connected obsessive compulsive disorder. Service connection was denied for left knee strain, right hip strain, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient verification of periods of active duty for training and a need for a VA examination to determine if the veteran's back disability is related to her service.

The application to reopen the claim for service connection for bulging discs, L3-S1 is granted. The Veteran's back disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence linking it to his in-service injury.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee and low back disabilities, finding that these conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right ankle and right knee disabilities. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for lumbar spine disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including degenerative disc disease at L4-5 and L5-S1 with bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, is now service-connected.,Effective September 25, 2017, the Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50%.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his low back, knee, shoulder, and hamstring disabilities due to lack of updated treatment records and need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his lumbar strain and reactive airway disease are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and the possible need for non-VA treatment records.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, hepatitis C, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) need to be remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for heart disease, hypertension, hip disabilities, low back disability, left eye disability, gastrointestinal disability, and prostate disorder are all denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or service connection.

The Veteran's lumbar strain is granted a 40% rating effective May 23, 2016. Other ratings are denied.

The Board has decided that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical evidence and conduct another VA examination to determine if the Veteran's cervical spine disorder, including degenerative disc disease, is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating issues related to the Veteran's lumbar and thoracic spine condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and Achilles tendinopathy. The AOJ is instructed to obtain VA treatment records from San Juan VAMC and Dr. P.I., and conduct additional development as needed.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status due to service-connected disabilities is remanded as the current examination report does not address whether he requires aid and attendance or is housebound.