Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and for effective dates earlier than December 7, 2011 for cervical spondylosis, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right shoulder arthritis.

The Board has remanded the claims of increased evaluations and service connection for various conditions, including degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy associated with DJD of the lumbar spine, left shoulder disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU were dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence and examination, including SSA records and a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability. The cases of bilateral hip disability and acquired psychiatric disability, as well as the TDIU claim are remanded due to need for additional development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and remanded both issues due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is also being asked to provide updated treatment records, undergo a VA examination regarding his psychiatric condition, and another VA examination regarding his lumbar strain.

The Veteran wishes to withdraw his appeal regarding the service connection for a back disability and PTSD. As a result, these issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar degenerative disease is being remanded due to the failure to consider all relevant evidence and the submission of new evidence after the February 2014 rating decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for restless leg syndrome, a higher rating for his thoracic spine disability, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical strains due to insufficient rationale in the previous VA opinions.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding hearing loss, increased ratings for tinnitus, otitis externa, and hemorrhoids. The Veteran was granted service connection for a right shoulder disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease with congestive heart failure, sleep apnea, hypertension, and major depressive disorder have been denied.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an earlier effective date for the award of service-connected right thigh muscle injury has been granted.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disability, tinnitus, and tension headaches have been granted. The claim for service connection for the low back injury is reopened due to new evidence provided since the last denial in 2012. Service connection has also been established for tinnitus and tension headaches.

The Board denied reopening of service connection for DDD of the thoracic spine because the new evidence did not show a relationship to service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings of right carpal tunnel syndrome and low back disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability. The case is now pending for further development and a new advisory medical opinion from an orthopedist.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability with degenerative joint disease and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity are being remanded for further evaluation due to issues related to service connection, exposure basis, and rating.

The Veteran's kidney disorder and psychiatric disability are being remanded for further development.,His back disorder is also being remanded, as it may be related to his service-connected kidney disorder.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral shoulder condition, respiratory condition (COPD), left knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The reasons given were that the Veteran did not report symptoms related to these conditions until many years after service, and his work as a mason post-service was not considered strenuous enough to cause arthritis.

The Veteran's low back disability is not service connected as it was not incurred or aggravated by service.,The right ankle calcaneal spurs are not service connected as they were not caused by the in-service injury and there is no evidence of continuity of symptomatology since service.,Tinnitus is service connected as it first manifested during active service and is related to noise exposure in service.,Obstructive sleep apnea is service connected as it was incurred during active service due to exposure to smoke, fumes, and exhaust while in service.,The left leg disability is not service connected as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or chronicity since service.,The right leg disability is not service connected as the primary condition (right ankle calcaneal spurs) is not service connected.