Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle disorder, finger disorder, right hand, and respiratory disorder. The claim for a back disorder is remanded.,Service connection was not granted as there is no evidence of current disability or in-service injury.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board has determined that the VA examination conducted in December 2018 was inadequate and requires a new evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and a need for new opinion. The Veteran's disability from May 5, 2006 to May 3, 2017 is being reviewed.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, GERD, left knee condition, and right knee condition are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability and the STRs are negative for any mention or treatment related to this condition.,Service connection for a back condition, secondary to a left knee condition, was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The Veteran's claim remains denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches was denied as there is no evidence showing that the condition occurred during or within one year after service.,Service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy was denied as there is no evidence showing a current disability and the STRs are negative for any mention of this condition.,Service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy was denied as there is no evidence showing a current disability and the STRs are negative for any mention of this condition.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction was denied as there is no direct evidence linking it to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded several claims due to the need for additional VA treatment records and examinations. The Veteran's disabilities have reportedly worsened since his last examination in June 2015.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than February 26, 2004 for awards of a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) and basic eligibility for education benefits under Chapter 35 (DEA). The Veteran was found to have been employed in substantially gainful employment prior to that date.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted an initial rating of 20 percent, effective October 27, 2016. The Veteran's PTSD with insomnia disorder remains at a 50 percent rating since September 5, 2017.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for a low back condition secondary to residuals of fracture, right first cuneiform due to lack of new and material evidence.,The Board also denied reopening the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including bipolar disorder and PTSD) and memory loss and lack of concentration associated with undiagnosed illness manifested by tension headaches.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine, left leg, right leg, right knee, left knee, right ankle, left ankle, right shoulder, left shoulder, right elbow, and left elbow disabilities due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's increased ratings for shell fragment wound scars on the lumbar back region and right arm, as well as his PTSD, are being remanded due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The TDIU claim is also being remanded based on a recent vocational assessment.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various disabilities, including low back disability, bilateral knee disability, left and right ankle disabilities, eye disability, hemorrhoids, and hypothyroidism. The Veteran's reports of in-service injuries and treatment are considered, but further evidence is needed from the VA.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board has decided that the reduction in the rating of service-connected lumbar spondylosis with degenerative disc disease L5-S1 from 40 percent to 20 percent was improper and has remanded the issue for further action.

The Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings are being remanded as the evidence does not support an earlier effective date.,The Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings are also being remanded due to insufficient medical records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, but has remanded them due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability but has remanded the issue of service connection for a back disability due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, right eye, bilateral shoulder, and bilateral arm disorders due to incomplete records from the Veteran's Army Reserve service. The case is also remanded to determine if VA examinations are needed for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is secondary to her service-connected PTSD, and therefore grants service connection for this condition. However, there is no evidence of a back disorder during service or since then.