Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back condition and MDD, finding no evidence of a current disability related to service. The Board also remanded the issues regarding PTSD and anxiety disorder for further development.,The Veteran was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder in 2017 but did not meet DSM-5 criteria at that time. A new examination is needed to determine if his anxiety disorder is related to his reported in-service trauma.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the lack of VA or private treatment records. The Board will attempt to obtain these records and then readjudicate the cases.

The Veteran's back and shoulder conditions are remanded for further examination and opinion as the VA examinations were inadequate.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of the disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back disability and neuropathy of the upper back region due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the onset of these conditions during service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD. The effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is also denied. The case is remanded to obtain a VA examination assessing the impact of the Veteran’s alcohol use disorder on his ability to work.

The Veteran's respiratory condition, diagnosed as COPD, is granted service connection. The cervical spine and thoracolumbar spine conditions, hearing loss, and tinnitus are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 30 percent prior to May 9, 2017. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition and a right shoulder condition.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition (including depression and PTSD) and a right shoulder condition are both being remanded due to procedural deficiencies in previous rating decisions.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at 40 percent, effective from the date of the decision. Service connection for low back condition, bilateral hip condition, bilateral knee condition, and bilateral foot condition are granted as secondary to her service-connected left ankle disability.

The Veteran's lumbar arthritis is rated at 10 percent, but the Board has granted a rating of 20 percent effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her lumbar myofascial pain condition is granted up to a 20 percent rating prior to November 10, 2014. From that date forward, the claim is denied as there is no evidence of limitation of motion or incapacitating episodes meeting the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's hearing loss is not service-connected as it did not onset in service or within one year of his discharge and is not related to service.,There is no evidence of a current respiratory disability, and the Board finds that any such condition is not related to service.,Service connection for heart disability is denied as there is no evidence of a current condition and none was found to be related to service.,The Veteran's low back disability is not service-connected as it did not onset in service or within one year of his discharge and is not related to service.,The bilateral knee disability is not service-connected as the Veteran has no current diagnosis and there is no evidence linking any condition to service.,Service connection for arthritis is denied as there is no evidence of a current condition and none was found to be related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss disability was dismissed. The appeal for a higher rating for PTSD was also dismissed, but the initial rating for PTSD is granted at 70 percent. The appeal for service connection of back disorder (trapezius strain) is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left shoulder adhesive capsulitis, cervical spine disorder, and back disorder due to new evidence of worsening symptoms. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected left shoulder disability, as well as an addendum opinion or another VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his diagnosed degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's TMJ dysfunction has not manifested in the need for dietary restrictions to soft and semi-solid foods, as recorded or verified by a physician, or in interincisal range of less than 30 mm of maximum unassisted vertical opening during the relevant rating period.,The Veteran’s lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity may have increased in severity since the most recent VA examinations were provided.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability and granted it, finding that new evidence received since the June 2014 rating decision raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. The Board also found that the current back disability is at least as likely as not related to in-service injuries.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and lack of reference to relevant records, including service treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for his low back, right foot, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to incomplete VA examinations and lack of sufficient information in the record.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting an examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, back disability, or radiculopathy are related to service or secondary to a service-connected condition.