Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD prior to May 16, 2018 is denied.,The Veteran’s claim for a compensable rating for his back scar is remanded.,The Veteran’s claim for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine with chronic lumbar strain is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, migraine headache disability, herpes disability, sleep disorder, athlete’s foot, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, low back strain disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, plantar fasciitis, and shin splints have been denied.,The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for his right and left eye disabilities due to incomplete information.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease and arthritis of the lumbar spine has been reopened. The Board finds that further development is necessary, including obtaining medical opinions on whether his lower back condition was aggravated by his knee disability or related to an in-service injury.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate examination report and a need for further development regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to an in-service injury. The claim was reopened due to new evidence submitted since the previous denial.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are necessary to assess the current severity and manifestations of the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The issues of increased evaluations for these conditions have been remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a lower back condition (to include a chronic low back disorder with myositis) and granted this claim based on new evidence showing current low back arthritis, which is considered a chronic disease. The Veteran's recurrent back pain during service and post-service treatment records support his contention that the current condition is related to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals concerning the issues of service connection for a right shoulder disability and a back disability before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has granted service connection for mechanical pain syndrome, degenerative disc disease, and intervertebral disc syndrome of the back, as well as right shoulder impingement syndrome and glenohumeral joint instability. Service connection was denied for a stomach disorder and Bartholin's cyst.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for service-connected lumbar spine disability is denied. Separate ratings are granted for neurological impairments of the bilateral lower extremities associated with the service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board denied the petitions to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions, including degenerative arthritis of the spine, bilateral hand condition, tinnitus, hearing loss, left hip disability, and right leg disability. The decisions were based on a lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and effective dates have been denied. The Board found that the criteria for an earlier effective date were not met.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating greater than 40 percent for service-connected degenerative disc disease of the low back from June 16, 2011 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show any incapacitating episodes or unfavorable ankylosis during the appeal period.

The Veteran's left leg disability and cervical spine degenerative disc disease with bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy are both granted service connection. The left leg disability is not granted, while the cervical spine issue is.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, a neck condition, and a back condition. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or were related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding his claimed low back, neck, bilateral hip, and right shoulder disabilities. The VA is instructed to schedule the Veteran for new VA examinations to determine the current nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for lower back, left shoulder, left hip, and left thigh disorders due to a lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for lower back disability, finding that there was no evidence of a causal relationship between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches, hypertension, fatigue, a back condition, and bilateral knee conditions due to outstanding treatment records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability, specifically spondylolysis L5-S1. The decision is granted as new and material evidence has been received that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.