Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent, but the Board denied an increased rating. The TDIU claim was also denied as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for bilateral pes planus. The remaining issues on appeal have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's initial 20 percent rating for his back disability (thoracolumbar spine) is granted, with the condition being rated based on its direct service connection without any presumption or secondary linkage to another condition.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, right and left lower extremity radiculopathies are granted with a 20% rating for the entire appeal period.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to his active service. The appeal was granted as new and material evidence had been received to reopen the claim.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease is granted, and his increased rating claim for lumbosacral strain is partially granted with a 10 percent rating effective January 31, 2017.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date and a higher rating for his left sciatic nerve radiculopathy, stating that it is part of his service-connected lumbar spine disability rated under DC 5293.

The Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities have been granted service connection.,Service connection for the gastrointestinal condition, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA thoracolumbar spine examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's degenerative disc disease and its impact on his ability to work and daily activities. The decision regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hand tendonitis, left shoulder condition, lower back condition, and ringing in the ears as there is no current evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including a lack of consideration of his self-reported symptoms and military duties.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back injury, left ankle injury, tinnitus, and major depressive disorder. However, these claims are still pending as they have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development of the record, including obtaining adequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for sleep apnea was granted. His radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (sciatic) associated with lumbar degenerative disc disease with radiating symptoms into the left lower extremity is rated at 10 percent, and his major depressive disorder remains at a 30 percent rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, finding that there was no credible evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various disabilities, including back, neck, right elbow, right hand tendon rupture, right hip, bilateral hearing loss, and left Achilles rupture/repair are all denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or link to military service.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims for various disabilities and a claim for TDIU. The main issue is the need to obtain medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and in-service exposure.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the establishment of service connection for left lumbosacral radiculopathy and lower extremity sensory polyneuropathy, right lower extremity sensory polyneuropathy, left internal saphenous nerve, and right internal saphenous nerve. The effective date was assigned as March 21, 2017.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's migraine headaches and his service-connected disabilities, including hypertension, adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, lumbosacral spondylosis, and tinnitus.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, left shoulder condition, neck disability, chronic right knee pain, and others. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.