Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for a left arm disability is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that any current left arm condition began during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury.,The Veteran's tinnitus has been granted as it is related to his active service.,The Veteran's claims for a back disability, eye disability, skin disability (including rash, scabies, nevus, and eczema), and herpes simplex virus are all remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and examinations.,The Veteran has not provided sufficient evidence or argument to establish service connection for any of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the current severity of his conditions, including coronary artery disease, right knee replacement, right knee burn scar with right knee surgical scars, left knee and femur disability, left ankle disability, low back disability, left hip disability, GERD, and IBS.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and associated neurological disabilities, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been remanded due to the need for further development. The hypertension claim is still under consideration.

The Veteran's thoracic spine disability and erectile dysfunction are being remanded for further examination and opinion.,His bilateral hearing loss, cataracts, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, and PTSD with major depressive disorder are also being remanded for evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's conditions are found to be related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and a left lower extremity disability, both secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left hip disability.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death and denied entitlement to accrued benefits based on new and material evidence not being received.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection of back and knee problems due to new evidence showing duty status in Vietnam, which was not previously considered. A VA examination is required to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder, left shoulder, lower back, and neck conditions, all of which are claimed to be related to injuries sustained during his active military service.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for low back strain due to a lack of medical examination, and requires one to determine if the condition had its onset in service or is otherwise related to an incident in service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left shoulder, right elbow, low back, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic sinusitis disabilities. The appeal is remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the claimed left ankle disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and granted separate ratings for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities as neurological complications of the back.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is granted a rating of 20 percent, but no higher. The left and right knee disabilities are each granted a rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to address his claimed RLE radiculopathy. The extension of temporary total evaluation and service connection claims are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right hip disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and secondary service connection for these disorders due to right ankle degenerative changes. The Veteran is required to provide any outstanding private or VA treatment records and undergo addendum opinions from medical professionals.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the earlier effective date for a 40 percent rating for a back disability.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of left tibial fracture with leg length discrepancy, low back disability (claimed as secondary to the leg length discrepancy), and bilateral knee disability (also claimed as secondary to the leg length discrepancy).

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbar spine strain with degenerative disc disease was denied as the disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula or the Formula for Rating Intervertebral Disc Syndrome Based on Incapacitating Episodes.,The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for his radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve of the right lower extremity was denied as the symptoms are described by the schedular criteria and do not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on incomplete paralysis.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU was granted, with the Board finding that his service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining employment consistent with his occupational and vocational experience.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a VA examination.