Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's back condition has worsened since his last examination, and a new VA examination is needed to determine the severity of his service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis with IVDS of the lumbar spine is granted an initial rating of 40 percent from June 1, 2008.

The Veteran's claims for erectile dysfunction, right foot disability, and thoracolumbar spine disability were denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, low back, and neck disorders due to new evidence submitted since the last denial. The claims are now remanded for further development including obtaining VA treatment records and examinations.,VA will attempt to obtain SSA records and additional private medical records.

The Veteran's application to reopen claims for service connection for shin splints of the right and left legs, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus have been granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is remanded due to incomplete National Guard records.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate examination for a rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine associated with traumatic osteoarthritis of the left knee. The Veteran needs another VA examination to assess his current disability status and functional impact.

The Board has determined that there is at least a 50% chance the Veteran's current degenerative disc disease of the lower back is related to his in-service low back pain and injury, thus granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for lumbar spondylolisthesis, spondylolysis, and stenosis as well as arachnoiditis of the right and left lower extremities due to potential pre-service onset.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including a low back condition, left leg condition, acquired psychiatric disorder, right and left ankle post-traumatic DJD and strain, left knee post-traumatic DJD and strain, and LSS with post-traumatic DJD, OA, scoliosis and partial sacralization of L5 have been granted. The Veteran is assigned a 10% evaluation for his service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding his claimed disabilities. The VA is instructed to obtain additional evidence and provide further examinations as needed.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and entitlement to a TDIU due to service-connected disability. The VA examinations were not conducted as per the previous remand directives, and additional development is required.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disability, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, PTSD, and tension headaches due to lack of current evidence showing their current state.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals, right shoulder SLAP tear is being remanded due to the need for further examination and evaluation.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding four specific conditions, resulting in the dismissal of these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral knee disability are denied. The Veteran's claims for initial ratings greater than 10 percent for his lumbosacral spine disability, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity are remanded.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a back disability and left leg radiculopathy, but has remanded them due to additional development being required. The rating of the Veteran's left shoulder disability remains pending.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and sleep apnea are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for low back and neck disabilities due to a lack of current disability evidence, finding that the Veteran did not have a diagnosed condition related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for TBI, right knee with arthritic changes, right ankle disability with arthritic changes, fractured right foot 1st and 4th toes with arthritis, back disability to include fractures and arthritis, and neck disability to include fractures and arthritis.,The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of TBI or any other condition related to service.