Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative changes and spondylosis of the lumbar spine, finding that it is etiologically related to injuries during active duty.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss, low back condition, left hip condition, left knee condition, cholecystitis (gallbladder condition), and GERD. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a seizure disorder is granted, while claims for PTSD, atrial fibrillation, lower back disorder, and TBI are denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating, TBI residuals, right shoulder, bilateral knee, and low back disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, neck disorder, back disorder, and eye disorder were denied as there was no credible evidence of in-service stressors or injuries, and the disorders are not related to service.

The Board denied service connection for low back disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The Veteran's PTSD was also denied an increased rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition and remanded the issue of service connection for neuropathy, left lower extremity. The case is now pending further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including a VA examination and obtaining outstanding medical records. The issues of increased evaluation for lumbar disc herniation at L4-S1 and TDIU are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right lower extremity radiculopathy, PTSD, and a back scar are denied. Effective dates earlier than July 20, 2013 for the awards of service connection for these conditions are also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a TDIU prior to November 19, 2012 and an effective date prior to that date for basic eligibility to Chapter 35 Dependents' Educational Assistance due to unresolved issues regarding his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has restored a 40 percent disability rating for service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that the Veteran's condition did not improve under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous directives, including a need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for additional separate service connection for depression, anxiety, and PTSD was dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal. The issues of entitlement to a low back disability and an increased rating for other trauma and stressor related disorder are remanded.

The claim for service connection for a bilateral lower extremity disorder is dismissed. Service connection for hypertension, left knee disorder, and cervical and lumbar spine disorder are granted. The claims for right knee disorder and bilateral hip disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities associated with his service-connected low back strain is denied effective dates prior to September 9, 2010.,Entitlement to a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities is also denied.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling examinations for his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine. The remaining issues have been remanded due to need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The reduction of the rating for chronic lumbar strain with L-5 spondylolisthesis from 40 percent to 10 percent effective December 1, 2016 was improper and the 40 percent rating is restored.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU. The remaining issues on appeal require further examination to determine the extent of his low back disability, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, with erectile dysfunction and diabetic retinopathy, and residuals of a gunshot wound of the left hip.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left parotitis, parotid abscess, parapharyngeal abscess, and parotid gland sialadenitis, as well as lumbar spondylosis and spondylolisthesis, have been granted. The remaining issues are still pending.