Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of service connection for low back disability due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a low back disability was denied. The rating for cervical spine degenerative arthritis with spondylolisthesis and intervertebral disc syndrome (cervical spine disability) prior to April 1, 2019, was also denied. However, the rating for radiculopathy of the left upper extremity was granted at a 30 percent level effective from April 1, 2019, and the rating for radiculopathy of the right upper extremity was granted at a 50 percent level effective from April 1, 2019.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and/or secure substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities need further review as additional evidence was submitted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypoglycemia, PTSD, a cervical spine disability, and a low back disability due to lack of current diagnoses or evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected back disability is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and updated medical records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection of a back disability, as new and material evidence has been submitted.

The Board has granted a separate rating for left knee medial meniscus tear and remanded the issues of higher initial ratings for low back disability and left knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling an appropriate VA examination.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for tendonitis and residuals of a right knee meniscectomy, as well as mechanical low back syndrome, due to the need for additional medical examination to reassess the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar strain, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and patellofemoral pain syndrome are being remanded for further evaluation. Additionally, his polyuria is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right leg shin splints, left leg shin splints, a lumbar spine disability, and a left thumb disability have all been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a right lower back disability and headaches were denied, as well as his request for an initial rating greater than 50 percent for PTSD. The appeals are all denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder and lumbar spine disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disability in service or within the presumptive period, and that the current conditions are not otherwise etiologically related to service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for residuals of frostbite of both lower extremities, chronic fatigue syndrome, and thyroid cancer due to in-service herbicide agent exposure.,Service connection is not granted for left shoulder disability or right shoulder disability.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine osteoarthritis, and hernia condition as the evidence did not support a nexus to service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for colon cancer was dismissed. The appeal of hypertension and back disability issues is stayed pending the effective date of a new law.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the current 40 percent rating for lumbar spinal stenosis adequately reflects his condition, and the current 20 percent rating for diabetes mellitus is also appropriate. Bilateral hearing loss and sciatica neuritis are remanded due to lack of recent VA examination or treatment records.