Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for low back disability and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service. Service connection was denied for diabetes mellitus and diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,An increased rating for PFB residuals (pseudofolliculitis barbae) is remanded, as new examination findings may be necessary given changes in VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine as secondary to his left knee disability is granted. His claim for a higher rating for interolateral instability of the left knee, status post medial meniscectomy, remains denied.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for left shoulder, back, right ankle, and sleep disorder (to include sleep apnea) service connection. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss resulted in no worse than Level I hearing impairment in each ear, resulting in a noncompensable rating.,The Veteran seeks service connection for various conditions including back disability (claimed as fibromyalgia), Gulf War Syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD). The Board finds that remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions and examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including tinnitus, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, hypertension, neck condition, low back condition, COPD, and GERD. The reasons given were that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to address the Veteran's back condition and its relationship to his service-connected right knee injury.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea, low back condition, and left knee condition due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient information in the VA examinations and the need for additional medical records.

The claim for service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis (low back disability) is remanded. The issue of entitlement to an earlier effective date for the addition of the Veteran’s spouse as a dependent is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease, right hip disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and right shoulder disability due to unclear periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA).

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiner's opinion, and because these issues are intertwined. The appellant is required to provide any new pertinent evidence and outstanding treatment records must be obtained.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for shortened right leg, lumbar degenerative joint disease, and right hip osteoarthritis has been dismissed. The cases of lumbar degenerative joint disease and right hip osteoarthritis are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The case of right knee disability is also remanded as it requires a new examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for the issues of increased ratings for his service-connected left shoulder disability, left ankle degenerative joint disease, and effective date prior to September 23, 2014.,The reduction of benefits for service-connected lumbosacral spondylosis from 40 percent to 10 percent disabling effective April 1, 2015 is found to be improper and void ab initio.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various knee, ankle, and shoulder disabilities due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran is required to provide updated treatment records and undergo a VA examination to address his claims.

The Board has decided that the reduction in the Veteran's hemorrhoids rating from noncompensable to 10% was improper and restored the 10% rating. The increased rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and right leg sciatica, finding that the evidence did not support a link to active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities on an extraschedular basis for the period prior to July 22, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating on a schedular basis for tinnitus has been denied. The Board also remanded the claims regarding service connection for disability of the lumbar spine, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and diabetes mellitus, as well as the TDIU claim.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions were not related to his active duty service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected disabilities, including hypertension and unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder. The decision grants service connection for this condition.