Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection of back disability, arthritis, and radiculopathy were denied. The claim for high blood pressure was also denied. An effective date earlier than September 11, 2015, for the grant of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, respiratory disability (emphysema), cardiac disability (calcified coronary artery disease), gastrointestinal disability (GERD, achalasia, and esophageal stricture), degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. The Board also denied a request to revise or reverse an April 1991 rating decision that denied service connection for headaches.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis but has remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to deficiencies in the VA examinations, particularly regarding the assessment of range of motion during flare-ups.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and conflicting medical opinions. The Veteran's current back condition is related to service, specifically his boxing in service.

The Board has granted service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability and a right femoral nerve disability, both of which are found to be related to service. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of current evidence meeting VA criteria.

The Board has determined that new evidence has been added to the claims file and that VA treatment records are missing. The Veteran's right shoulder, lumbar spine, and bilateral hearing loss disabilities have also increased in severity since his last examination. Therefore, the case is being remanded for further action.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU, finding that he was not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities prior to June 8, 2006.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for various disabilities as the Veteran passed away during the appeal process.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a right knee disability need to be reviewed again due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and earlier effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.,These cases involve multiple issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hearing loss, degenerative arthritis of the spine, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and a TDIU.

The Board has decided that a higher evaluation for thoracolumbar scoliosis with degenerative changes of the thoracic spine is remanded due to the need for an EMG test.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are not yet fully decided, as they have been remanded multiple times. The case is now being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's low back condition and its relation to service. A supplemental VA medical examination is needed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left lower extremity radiculopathy and lumbar spine osteoarthritis and chronic lumbar strain, both prior to their respective effective dates. The case is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the severity of these conditions during the relevant periods.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to deficiencies in the VA audiological examination report and conflicting opinions regarding the etiology of his back disorder, right pes planus, left pes planus, and allergic sinus disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding no credible evidence linking his current condition to his military service. The examiner determined that any pre-existing back condition did not worsen during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

An earlier effective date of April 13, 2017 has been granted for the award of service connection and a 30 percent disability rating for left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy. The Veteran's other claims remain pending.

The Veteran's Epstein Barr Virus is rated at 40 percent, effective from the date of decision. The c-section scar is rated at 20 percent, effective from March 15, 2017. The lumbar strain remains at a 10 percent rating.