Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative joint disease and lumbar degenerative joint disease are denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to service.,The Veteran's chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and erectile dysfunction are denied as the conditions did not manifest within one year after service or are not related to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, as they are not clear on whether the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his service-connected fracture of right mandible.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to obtain VA medical records and a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and neck disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent prior to September 19, 2016 and at 20 percent from that date. The right shoulder impingement syndrome with rotator cuff tendonitis is currently rated at 20 percent prior to August 11, 2015 and at 30 percent from that date.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been granted a higher rating of 20 percent from September 19, 2016. The right shoulder impingement syndrome with rotator cuff tendonitis has been granted a higher rating of 30 percent from August 11, 2015.

Your claims of service connection for various conditions have been granted. The right foot metatarsalgia issue was previously severed from your service-connected disability picture, but the pain is still considered part of your overall condition.

The Board has found that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding whether any current left knee disorder is related to active service.

The Veteran's cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head. The Board found that his service-connected disabilities did not contribute substantially or materially to his death, and he did not meet the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral vestibular disorder, cervical spine condition, low back disability, and right elbow disability as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's current conditions were not related to his active duty service or a service-connected disability.

Service connection is restored for depressive disorder, and the Veteran's claims for residuals of uvulectomy, obstructive sleep apnea, cervical spine disability, and degenerative disc disease of the lower back are all granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back pain and initial rating for right shoulder impingement syndrome prior to June 26, 2017 and in excess of 20 percent thereafter. The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is reopened.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to the need for additional medical evidence and clarification of treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the current severity of his knee and lumbar spine disabilities, including functional loss due to pain, weakness, fatigability, or incoordination.

The Veteran's evaluation for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine was reduced from 20 percent to 10 percent effective May 18, 2017. The reduction is granted as there has been actual improvement in his condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and need for further examinations.

The Board denied service connection for low back, left hip, and right hip disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or any other compensable condition.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hip disability, back disability, and sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been reopened, and the appeal is granted. The Veteran's right shoulder disability and left shoulder disability are remanded for further evaluation. The Veteran's lumbar strain is also remanded. The TDIU claim remains pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back disability, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral ankle disability due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. A VA examination is needed to determine if these disabilities are related to service.

The Board has denied service connection for hearing loss and remanded the issues of service connection for right hip condition and lower back condition due to conflicting medical opinions.