Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service connection claims for low back pain, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted. The Board found new and material evidence to reopen these claims.,Service connection is established for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss (hearing loss) based on continuity of symptoms since service separation.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been granted service connection. The appeal regarding the skin condition is stayed due to a stay of adjudication based on the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019. The appeals for sleep apnea, respiratory condition, and back condition are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine and right lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records from private doctors he identified.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for residuals of head trauma, manifested as headaches; an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a lumbar spine disability prior to December 11, 2017; and an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for a cervical spine disability due to inadequate reasons and bases in the May 2018 decision.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbosacral strain and disc herniation, as well as his cervical strain and disc herniation. The claims were reopened due to new evidence received since the last final denial in October 2009.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain is currently rated at 20 percent prior to November 19, 2017 and denied for higher ratings thereafter.,The Veteran's lumbar spine strain is currently rated at 10 percent prior to October 31, 2016 and granted a 20 percent rating from October 31, 2016 to November 19, 2017. A higher rating thereafter is denied.

The Board denied service connection for back disability, asthma, COPD, and hypertension as the evidence did not show these conditions were incurred in or due to military service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of cervical and lumbar spine disorders, as they need further examination due to lack of review of the claims file.

The Veteran's appeals for depression and anxiety were dismissed. Bilateral hearing loss was granted, but the issues of bilateral knee disability and back disability are remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his in-service back injuries. The condition was previously denied due to lack of evidence linking current disability to service.

The Board has denied service connection for high cholesterol due to it not being a disability. The case is remanded for further examinations and evaluations of the Veteran's lumbar spine, recurring inverted papilloma, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, and the Board has dismissed it.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and records review.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine disorder, heart disorder, lung disorder, restless leg syndrome, neuropathy of left lower extremity, and neuropathy of right lower extremity. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for back, bilateral pes planus, skin, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence or conflicting opinions.

The Veteran's VR&E benefits are being remanded due to the need for a vocational rehabilitation evaluation and functional capacity evaluations considering his service-connected disabilities, aptitudes, abilities, current educational skills, and proposed career changes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and degenerative conditions in multiple joints, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of these disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate assistance in meeting its duty to assist, and a new VA opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's current back condition is related to service.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for various foot and back disabilities has been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The claims are currently pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's service-connected low back disability, as well as his claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability including PTSD, MDD, and GAD. The initial rating claim is also remanded.