Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability based on service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for tendonitis has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,All other claims have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and/or a VA examination.

The Board has remanded two issues: service connection for a low back disability and a rating in excess of 10 percent for a right fourth and fifth finger disability. The Veteran needs to undergo additional examinations to determine the nature, etiology, severity, and occupational impairment caused by these disabilities.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is rated at 50 percent, which includes the use of a CPAP machine. The appeal for COPD and thoracic spine disability is dismissed as service connection has already been established. Lumbar strain and radiculopathy are denied due to lack of incapacitating episodes or ankylosis. Blepharitis does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection of degenerative disc disease with arthritis of the lumbar spine, retinal hemorrhage right eye with light perception only, and hyperopia-amblyopia.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for a lower back condition due to insufficient evidence and need for an examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain and entitlement to a temporary total rating for convalescence from lumbar spine surgery due to incomplete records, conflicting medical opinions, and the need for further examination.

The appeal as to the issue of entitlement to service connection for polycythemia is dismissed. The application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disorder is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction was granted from November 20, 2015. The disability rating of 30% is assigned.

The claim has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, the issue of service connection for thoracolumbar spine disability remains pending as it is being remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, a back condition, and a right foot injury due to incomplete evidence and inconsistent medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and evaluations to determine the nature of his sleep apnea, cervical spine disability, and service connection claims.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral knee disability, lumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and an acquired psychiatric condition.,However, the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for psychosis or mental illness for the purpose of establishing eligibility for treatment under 38 U.S.C. § 1702 is dismissed as moot due to the grant of service connection for his acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as she withdrew her appeal, leaving no issues for the Board to consider.

The claim for service connection for PTSD due to inservice military sexual trauma is granted. The claim for service connection for a back disorder is remanded.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, to include a neurological disorder, should be remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and need for an additional examination.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of service connection for dermatitis and severe reaction to vaccines. The appeal of service connection for a back disability is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and remanded the issues of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain (claimed as back condition initial GWS) and service connection for epilepsy. The issue of a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right shoulder, right knee, and low back conditions due to lack of consideration of parachute jumps in service and secondary service connection issues. The case will be returned to the Board after further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to the need for clarification regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and spondylosis, as well as his left lower extremity condition. The claims are inextricably intertwined with the lumbosacral strain rating claim.