Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates for his service-connected tinnitus, but has remanded several other issues including service connection for various conditions. The Veteran is also required to provide authorization for VA to obtain certain medical records.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claims for service connection for cervical spine DDD and bilateral hearing loss. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that his current spinal stenosis is related to in-service injuries. However, it denied service connection for his bilateral shoulder disability due to a lack of evidence linking his current osteoarthritis to his time in service.,While the Veteran reported experiencing shoulder pain during service while playing basketball, the Board found insufficient evidence to establish that his current bilateral shoulder condition is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for an earlier effective date for TDIU and education benefits under Chapter 35 (DEA) due to their inextricability with other pending claims. The Veteran's attorney asserts that resolution of these claims may impact the analysis regarding his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or that any diagnosed condition began in service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was also denied due to the lack of evidence showing the presence of a current disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional consideration of new medical evidence, and the RO is instructed to consider this evidence in its review.

The Board has remanded the claims for eczema, sleep apnea, and low back muscle strain due to insufficient evidence in some areas. The Veteran is to be provided with VA examinations to determine if his conditions are related to service.

The Board has dismissed all pending appeals due to the appellant's withdrawal of his claims.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The case of the lumbar spine disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder and granted it, finding that new evidence supports the claim.

The Board has denied service connection for a low back disability, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss disability. The Veteran's current disabilities are not related to his active service.,The Veteran was not afforded VA examinations for his left hand, right hand, eye (dry itchy eyes), and skin disabilities.

The Veteran's representative withdrew the appeals for service connection of low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's spouse and step-child are not entitled to earlier effective dates for dependent benefits as they became eligible on February 13, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to report for VA examinations and his advanced age. The matter will be reconsidered after attempting to schedule a VA examination.

The appeal to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability is granted. The issues of service connection for radicular disability of the lower extremities and hypertension are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for low back, right knee, and left knee disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left ankle disability.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been granted, and he is now entitled to service connection.,The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for urinary dysfunction have been denied. However, the Veteran was granted an extension of his temporary total disability rating for convalescence following surgery.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, and she is now receiving a rating of 70 percent for PTSD. Other conditions are also found to be related to her military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient medical opinions regarding her service connection for various conditions, and for a VA examination to determine the current severity of her service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including back disability, left and right knee disabilities, sleep apnea, residuals of heat stroke, and migraine headaches. The decision also remanded the claim for service connection for hypertension.