Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's tinnitus, MDD with alcohol substance abuse, and right ear hearing loss have been granted service connection. However, the effective dates for these conditions are October 11, 2016.,The claims of service connection for tendinitis, left ear hearing loss, glaucoma, a thoracolumbar spine disability, COPD, hypertension, carpal tunnel syndrome, sleep apnea, and stomach ulcer remain pending. Further development is needed to determine the current status of these conditions.

The Board has granted an effective date of April 17, 1997 for the award of TDIU based on a low back disability. The Veteran was found to be unemployable due to his service-connected low back disability as of March 5, 1997.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for his lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and left knee disability, both claimed as secondary to the Veteran's right ankle disability. The claim for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for the right ankle disability was also denied.,There is no indication that any exposure basis (e.g., burn pit, Agent Orange, Camp Lejeune) played a role in the Veteran's conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee, neck, and low back disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and verifying PTSD stressors. The VA will also schedule examinations to assess the current severity of his thoracolumbar spine disability and other claimed conditions.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder disorder, cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, left ear hearing loss, headaches, PTSD, and depressive disorder. The decision also remanded the issue of service connection for left ear hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for further proceedings due to incomplete medical records and a need for an examination. The Veteran's low back disability is being evaluated in relation to his service, but the nature of the connection remains unclear.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability was denied as there was no evidence of an etiological link between the current condition and service.,Service connection for bilateral pes planus was granted based on aggravation during service, but not due to any in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's service connection for multiple sclerosis is granted, while his claims for hypertension and other conditions are denied. The lumbar spine disability remains at a 10% rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his claims of increased ratings and individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including those related to herbicide exposure and secondary to his service-connected diabetes. The claims are being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

Effective dates of April 21, 2014 are granted for the grants of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II (DM2) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Effective dates prior to April 21, 2014 are denied for all other issues.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability is remanded due to the need for further examination and testing.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of a back disability. The neck, bilateral hip, bilateral knee, and bilateral elbow disabilities were denied as not incurred in or due to service. Service connection was granted for sleep apnea and headaches, but denied for acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his low back disability, left knee disability, and right knee strain due to outstanding private medical records and the need for VA examinations.

The claim has been reopened, but the service connection for a back condition and sleep apnea (secondary to PTSD) is still pending as new evidence was submitted. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been granted service connection. The Board finds the issues of cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities, hearing loss, right leg chondromalacia, left leg chondromalacia, and hypertension are remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's thoracolumbar strain.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) due to insufficient evidence regarding their relationship to service.