Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board found that the original service connection for lumbosacral strain, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee, and patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee was based on a clerical error in the September 2013 administrative decision. The appeal is denied as the severance of service connection was proper.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right shoulder, cervical spine, lumbar spine, and bilateral hearing loss disabilities due to potential service connection issues. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to service or preexisting conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The VA examination must be conducted with specific attention to whether these conditions are related to active duty for training or inactive duty for training.

The Board denied service connection for low back and neck disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service. The Veteran's current symptoms were attributed to post-service injuries.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left elbow disability and a lumbar spine disability, finding no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that would support these conditions. The Board also found no secondary service connection based on his service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy for the period prior to October 7, 2016. The new examination could result in evidence supporting these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that new evidence supports the Veteran's claims. The lumbar spine disorder is related to his military service, while the psychiatric disorder may be linked due to in-service stressors and post-military treatment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back, right knee, and left knee disorders due to a lack of evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, to include spondylolisthesis, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected pes planus.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding his service connection claims for low back disability and left hip disability due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, lower back disability, neck disability, and migraine headaches have been reopened. However, the Board finds that new evidence does not establish service connection for any of these conditions.,The VA examination did not consider the Veteran’s complaints of back pain during service or at separation.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on multiple service-connected conditions have been withdrawn and are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding medical questions regarding a lumbar spine disability, and for further examination.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a low back disorder was denied as new and material evidence had not been submitted.,Service connection for a bilateral eye disorder is denied due to lack of in-service diagnosis or treatment, and no current evidence linking the condition to service.,High cholesterol is considered a laboratory finding and not a ratable disability for VA compensation purposes.,For the period prior to August 14, 2014, the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder meets criteria for a rating of 70 percent but no higher.,Service connection for sleep apnea was remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection for a skin disability other than PFB (likely PFB) is remanded as there are no current findings or diagnoses supporting this claim.,Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) was remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for DDD and strain of the lumbar spine, as well as his claim for a TDIU. The claims are being remanded due to inadequate VA examination reports and the need for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and bilateral hip conditions, finding that there was no evidence of a direct relationship to service or service-connected Crohn's disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine disorder and its secondary effects on other joints and tremors.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back condition, left wrist condition with residuals, left ankle condition with residuals, right ankle condition with residuals, and stomach condition. The reasons given include lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his TDIU award, finding that he was not precluded from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities prior to March 31, 2006.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to determine if there is a relationship between the Veteran's back disability and his military service.