Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back condition, finding that there is no evidence linking his current back condition to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating of 50 percent or higher for PTSD has been granted, effective from the date of this decision. The Veteran is currently rated at 30 percent for his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for cervical spine degenerative disc disease at C5-C6 with spondylosis due to insufficient rationale provided by the VA examiner and the need for additional supporting evidence.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, lumbar spine disability, and left knee disability. The claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is related to his complaints of back pain during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip disorder and lumbar spine disorder due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions. The VA will schedule examinations to determine if there are any underlying disabilities, whether they are related to service, and if so, what rating should be assigned.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, left shoulder, left hip, and left ankle, as well as PTSD. The claims for a respiratory disorder are also remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed stressor.

The Veteran's right carpal tunnel syndrome and ureteral stenosis, status-post stent, are granted. The Veteran's right hip disorder and left hip disorder are denied. The Veteran's thrombophlebitis of the left popliteal vein is granted as secondary to adenocarcinoma of the colon.,The Veteran has been granted service connection for his right carpal tunnel syndrome and ureteral stenosis, status-post stent, but not for his hip disorders or thrombophlebitis. The appeal is mixed.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether it began during active duty. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence showing its onset or relationship to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for OSA is denied as there is no evidence of a link between the condition and his military service.,Service connection is granted for low back disability, with the presumption that it is related to documented injuries sustained during service. The issue of TDIU prior to July 13, 2015, remains pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to conflicting medical opinions and lack of clarification on the nature and cause of his current conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disability, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and a need for further development, including scheduling a new VA examination.

The Board has corrected a typographical error and granted a 20 percent disability rating for Degenerative Disc Disease of the lumbar spine effective from February 28, 2007.

The Veteran's low back disability and associated right lower extremity radiculopathy are currently rated as 20 percent disabling prior to April 25, 2013, and higher than 40 percent since that date. The left ankle disability is rated at 20 percent from June 15, 2016 onwards.,The Veteran's Type II Diabetes Mellitus remains rated as 20 percent disabling.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to obtain relevant treatment records and for a supplemental medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of right leg disorder, left leg disorder, and low back disorder have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran before a decision was issued.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for tension headaches, bilateral foot disability, and back disability due to issues with hearing requests, secondary service connection, and presumptive service connection. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board denied service connection for asthma and low back disability, finding that the evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and service. The Veteran's claims were based on potential asbestos exposure in service.