Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disorders. The VA must obtain updated treatment records and provide a new opinion on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's MDD is rated at 70 percent, effective December 22, 2011. A TDIU based solely on the service-connected lumbar spine and associated radiculopathy of the lower extremities is granted since January 15, 2010. Effective December 22, 2011, SMC at the 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) rate is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and sarcoidosis (lung disease), finding that there is no evidence of a causal relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, heart disability, and hypertension due to VA's duty to assist errors. The Veteran was not afforded VA examinations or opinions regarding his conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disability, bilateral leg pain, and hypertension due to in-service injuries. The case must be returned for further clarification from the VA examiner.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder, PTSD, and bilateral eye disorders. The claim for service connection for a back disorder was denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for right ear hearing loss has been dismissed as the Veteran requested withdrawal of his appeal.,Service connection was denied for low back and right knee disabilities due to lack of current diagnoses. The Veteran reported pain but no functional impairment or limitation in these areas.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his right hip condition and lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's low back condition is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's hemorrhoidectomy rating was reduced from 10% to non-compensable effective February 1, 2014. The Board found that the improvement in his condition warranted this reduction.,For hemorrhoids prior to February 1, 2014, a compensable rating is not warranted as there were no large or thrombotic hemorrhoids with persistent bleeding and fissures. After February 1, 2014, a non-compensable rating remains appropriate due to the absence of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate examination, and a new comprehensive VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current low back condition.

Service connection for thoracolumbar strain is granted. Service connection for residual cold injury, left foot and right foot conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claims.

The Board has granted the Veteran's appeal for service connection for tinnitus and remanded his claims for service connection for other conditions due to lack of timely NODs, but found that the July 2015 rating decision denying back condition and temporary total disability was final. The remaining issues are being remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disorders, finding that there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions, and that any current disabilities are not shown to be related to military service.

Service connection for cold weather injury residuals of hand and feet is denied. Service connection for lumbosacral spine degenerative disc and joint disease is granted with a rating of 40 percent effective February 10, 2015.

The claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability is reopened, and the case is remanded for further development. The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for residuals of chalazion excisions of both eyelids is also remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions have been granted with effective dates of March 18, 2013.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disorder, finding that there is no medical link between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's back condition and radiculopathy, RLE are rated at 40 percent. A separate 20 percent rating is granted for radiculopathy, LLE from September 21, 2017.