Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is related to service, and thus grants service connection for lumbosacral degenerative disease with spinal stenosis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disorder (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder), and a back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded three issues: service connection for a low back disorder, service connection for a neuropsychiatric disorder to include PTSD, and service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder claimed as acid reflux. The Veteran must be provided with VA examinations to determine the etiology of these conditions, particularly in relation to his active duty service and exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's initial rating for a lumbar spine disability with IVDS and left lumbar radiculopathy is granted at 20 percent, but higher ratings are denied. The case is remanded for further evaluation of other issues.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine strain with arthritis, finding that the evidence does not support a link to active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that his current condition is related to an in-service gunshot wound. The Board considered various theories including direct service connection and secondary service connection but found insufficient evidence to support any theory.

The Board has remanded the claims due to new evidence received after the August 2016 supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection of a cervical spine condition, lower back condition, and hysterectomy.,However, the Board has not found that any of these conditions are related to her time in military service.

The Board has not made a final determination on the service connection claims for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as peripheral neuropathy. The claims are being remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations to assess the severity of his neck and right shoulder disabilities, as the previous VA examinations were inadequate.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular rating has been assigned.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of tinnitus is denied because no communication prior to August 26, 2011 indicated entitlement to this benefit.,The petition to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for a lumbar spine condition is denied as the submitted evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.,Service connection for left foot and right foot conditions is denied due to lack of evidence showing these conditions began during active service or are related to in-service injuries.,Service connection for myocardial infarctions, claimed as two heart attacks, secondary to PTSD, is denied because there is no evidence of such events occurring during the pendency of the claim.,The Veteran's right and left foot conditions are not considered service-connected due to lack of medical evidence supporting their onset or relationship to military service.

The Veteran's hypertension and left ear hearing loss have been evaluated based on the evidence of record. The Board has determined that a compensable rating for hypertension is not warranted, while an initial increased rating for left ear hearing loss is denied.,For several issues in this case, including service connection for various conditions such as a heart condition, nerve disorder affecting the left side of the body, left hand disorder, and vision disorder of the left eye, VA examinations were determined to be not warranted due to lack of evidence of current disorders. However, recent private medical records have been submitted indicating current disorders that may be associated with service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple conditions were dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and cervical spine disabilities due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The VA will need to conduct further examinations to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the claim for an increased rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine due to inadequate examination and failure to comply with remand directives.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, cervical spine disability, back disability, and memory loss due to Camp Lejeune exposure have been granted. The service connection for these conditions is based on new evidence that reopened the previously denied claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and a need for further evaluation of the Veteran's low back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee injury is causing or aggravating his left and right hip conditions. The claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain updated medical opinions regarding the nature, extent, and severity of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of the Veteran's service-connected back disability.