Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the issues of bilateral hearing loss and an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for hypertension.,Service connection for a left ventricular hypertrophy is granted, subject to further review.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a lumbar condition and left leg sciatica are remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing new VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right knee disability was granted on May 19, 2014. Effective from that date, he is now entitled to a separate rating of 10 percent for instability.

The Veteran's left knee condition and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine are not service-connected, with the exception that his right knee is already service-connected. The Board denied both claims.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has found that this rating is not appropriate. The appeal for a higher rating remains pending.,The Veteran's left and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve have been remanded to allow for further examination and evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding private treatment records related to the Veteran's low back disability. The Veteran is asked to submit or authorize VA to obtain these records.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records. The Veteran is also required to undergo VA examinations to assess his service-connected psychiatric disability, lumbar spine and knee disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding increased ratings for various knee disabilities and service connection claims, including those related to psychiatric disorders, sleep apnea, hand and shoulder conditions, eye disorders, hearing loss, migraine headaches, and knee disorders. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's lumbar spondylosis existed prior to service and was aggravated by service. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical records and undergo a VA examination.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from March 15, 2005. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disorder, sarcoidosis, lumbar spine disorder, and bilateral hearing loss due to potential exposure to Agent Orange during service. The claims are being reviewed again as part of this process.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection of back disability, bilateral knee strains, and tinnitus as the Veteran abandoned his claims after VA requested additional information to obtain his service medical records.,VA received the Veteran's claim for tinnitus on December 5, 2012, which was also when he filed a new claim for service connection. The effective date remains at December 5, 2012.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for separate service connection for degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, finding that these symptoms are already contemplated by the existing grant of service connection for a cervical strain.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for low back pain and upheld the reduction of his anal fistula rating from 30% to 10%. The decision found insufficient evidence linking the low back pain to service, while noting improvement in the Veteran's ability to function with his anal fistula.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence received since the November 2014 rating decision. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are being reconsidered as they may be related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's low back disability and his service. A VA examination is needed to determine if any current low back disability had its onset in service or is otherwise related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, tinnitus, and left flat foot.,New evidence submitted since the last denial in October 1992 has reopened the claim of service connection for a nervous condition (now claimed as depression).

The Board denied service connection for trichophyton rubrum, tinea pedis, visual impairment, and low back pain as the evidence did not support an in-service onset or relationship to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are granted. The Board has ordered additional examinations to determine the nature of his current disabilities and their relationship to service.

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection of a back disability is granted. Service connection for the same condition is denied. The issue of service connection for a neck condition, which is secondary to a back problem with pinched nerve, is remanded.