Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The lumbar myositis claim was not granted, as the evidence did not support a higher rating. Service connection for right hip sprain and bilateral hearing loss were also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back condition and associated right and left lower extremity numbness is being remanded due to new evidence submitted since the final April 2009 rating decision. The Board will determine if this new evidence raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective June 30, 2011. The Board found that the Veteran did not have any adjudicated service-connected disabilities prior to this date and thus denied an earlier effective date.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of increased evaluations for his service-connected low back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy and neuralgia of the sciatic nerve, varicose veins of the left leg, and liver disability. These matters are being remanded to allow for further examination and evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left shoulder, lumbar spine, cervical spine, and right knee disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to obtain an MRI report from January 2017.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus due to the Appellant's ACDUTRA, but denied service connection for low back disorder as there is no evidence of a current disability or link to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, OSA, knee and ankle disabilities, lumbar spine disability, and right side numbness. The Veteran's service records do not show a current hearing loss disability or any of these other conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 20 percent prior to September 5, 2014 for lumbosacral strain was granted. The claim for a higher rating from September 5, 2014 onwards was denied.

The Veteran's back condition is rated at 10 percent, the lowest possible rating under VA guidelines. The Board found that her symptoms did not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded several issues for further examination and review, including service connection claims for various conditions and a higher disability rating for left knee strain.

The Veteran's low back, bilateral hip, bilateral knee and bilateral ankle disabilities are found to be service-connected due to in-service hard landings and other stresses. The Veteran's prostate cancer is not entitled to a temporary total evaluation or an initial rating higher than 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate statements of reasons and bases in their previous decisions.,Further development is required as there are inconsistencies between the Board's decision and evidence from the Veteran's service records.

The Veteran's hip and cervical spine disorders are being remanded for further examination and development. The claims will be evaluated based on the merits of the service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for a left leg condition and the evaluation of the Veteran's low back disability from February 28, 2008 to July 2, 2010. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his left leg condition which he claims was caused by an injury during service. He also seeks a higher rating for his low back disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and a low back condition, finding that there is no evidence of current disability or in-service injury related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the existence and etiology of a right ankle disorder, right knee disorder, back disorder, and headaches. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded.

The Veteran's increased ratings for right and left shoulder rotator cuff tendinopathy with adhesive capsulitis, lumbosacral strain and thoracic spondylosis with radiculopathy, cervical spinal stenosis with spondylosis, right ankle strain, left ankle strain, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are denied.,The Veteran's freestanding claims for service connection of PTSD, allergic rhinosinusitis, cervical spinal stenosis with spondylosis, lumbosacral strain and thoracic spondylosis with radiculopathy, right ankle strain, left ankle strain, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased rating due to failure to obtain VA treatment records, provide adequate reasons or bases for decisions, and conduct new examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of broken right arm, broken ribs, a right foot injury (including broken toes), a back disability, and a right leg disability (to include as secondary to a back disability). The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of any current back disability, as it may be related to service.