Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and sciatic radiculopathy of the LLE and RLE are rated at 40 percent beginning April 9, 2019.,A higher rating for sciatic radiculopathy of the LLE and RLE is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and right leg sciatic nerve paralysis as secondary to the low back disability, finding that all reasonable doubt is resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection has been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder, hepatitis C, chronic lumbar spine disorder, and chronic right shoulder disorder have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or in-service incurrence or aggravation that would support these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lower back disorder, residuals of a right ankle disorder, and bilateral knee disorder have been denied as the evidence does not establish that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and need for additional evidence, including a new VA examination to address the Veteran's claim of service connection for his back disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability of lumbar spondylosis and post laminectomy syndrome, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his in-service injuries and heavy lifting duties.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine prior to November 9, 2015; and in excess of 20 percent thereafter has been withdrawn.,New and material evidence having been received, the claims for service connection for heart disease (including as IHD, CAD, and myocardial infraction) and stomach or gastrointestinal condition (including Barrett’s Esophagus, gastroenteritis, and hiatal hernia) have been reopened.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, Major Depression, and related disabilities are granted. The claims for CFS, fibromyalgia, and a skin disability are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to lack of evidence establishing a nexus to service. New and material evidence has not been received that would raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, claimed as neck problems, is being remanded for further evaluation.,Hypertension and back disability have earlier effective dates of June 17, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral spine strain with degenerative disc disease was denied. The issues of service connection for a stomach condition and TDIU were remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding whether any diagnosed bilateral knee, cervical spine, or lumbar spine disabilities are caused by or aggravated by the now service-connected bilateral ankle disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple conditions, including anemia, cirrhosis of the liver, lumbar spine condition, diabetes, duodenal malformation, esophageal condition, hypertension, psychiatric disorder (PTSD), retinopathy of the right eye, and thrombocytopenia are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran is requested to provide any relevant evidence not previously submitted.

The Board has denied service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), coronary atherosclerosis, lumbar spondylosis with degenerative changes and scoliosis, and unspecified arthritis as there is no evidence of a nexus relationship between the Veteran's claimed disabilities and service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hand disability, lumbar spine disability, and cervical spine disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is at least as likely as not related to his in-service injury, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for major depression as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, but denied service connection for a back disability.

The Veteran's initial rating for left and right ankle tendonitis with shin splints has been increased to 10 percent, but the appeal remains on for higher ratings.,The Veteran’s low back, left hip, right hip, left knee, and right knee disorders are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability and heart palpitations, finding that there was no evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to service.