Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for a chronic low back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The decision found that the Veteran's current low back condition was not incurred in service due to lack of evidence supporting a nexus between his current DDD diagnosis and an in-service injury. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were granted based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of service connection for a lumbar spine disability secondary to service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability for the period prior to June 5, 2018 due to his service-connected disabilities. The issue of TDIU after June 5, 2018 is moot as he already has a combined schedular evaluation of 100%.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including new examinations and obtaining updated VA treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back condition, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current diagnosis and any in-service injury or disease. The preponderance of the evidence did not support the claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded due to insufficient evidence or further clarification is needed.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a low back injury and right knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support a relationship to active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, mental health disability with memory loss, neck disorder, and thyroid disorder due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's claims for increased ratings, including those for his right wrist fracture, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, and radiculopathy of the right upper extremity.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied because he failed to report for a VA examination without good cause, and the Board found that entitlement could not be established in this case without current VA examinations.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings. The Veteran will be provided with a VA examination to assess his cervical spine, lumbar spine, and chest pain disabilities, as well as an examination of his left wrist disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a right knee injury, low back disability, left knee disability, bilateral foot disability, and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The decision also found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his claim for residuals of a right knee injury.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for status post hairline fracture of the left medial patella and a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus have been dismissed.,The Veteran's applications to reopen his claims for service connection for right knee, right hip, left hip, and acquired psychiatric disabilities are granted. The claims for nerve condition, left wrist disability, right wrist disability, arthritis, lumbar spine disability, and cervical spine disability remain pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spine disorder, finding no evidence of a disease or injury incurred during active service and no continuity of symptomatology following separation from service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral shoulder, lumbar spine, bilateral knee, and right foot disorders due to inadequate VA examination reports. The Veteran is required to provide additional medical evidence or treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for lumbosacral strain disability was denied as it is not part and parcel of his original claim for back pain, which became final due to lack of appeal. The earliest date considered for the application is May 6, 2016.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed to address the etiology of the Veteran's cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities, as well as whether they are related to service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a low back condition due to insufficient evidence and failure to provide a VA examination. The Veteran's private physician opined that his work as a mechanic contributed to his current musculoskeletal pain, which he claims began in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of a lumbar spine disorder or an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety) related to his service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and all issues on appeal have been dismissed.