Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine condition and bilateral pes planus, finding that the evidence did not support a causal relationship to active service.

The Board has denied service connection for a right testicle condition. The claims of service connection for left shoulder, low back, neck, and right knee conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his service-connected adjustment disorder with depressed and anxious mood, left shoulder strain, lumbar strain, cervical strain with degenerative joint disease, and right ankle disorder have been granted. However, the claims for higher initial ratings for these conditions are being remanded due to insufficient examination information.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical degenerative disc disease and residuals of a left ankle disability due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran is also requested to provide any relevant private medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder disorder, neck disorder, low back disorder, right knee disorder, pseudofolliculitis barbae, bilateral hearing loss, heart disorder, and acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression), finding no new and material evidence to reopen these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for low back, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle conditions have been granted. The claim for benign cortical defect (claimed as bilateral shin splints) has not been reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection is also denied for PTSD and sleep condition.

The Veteran's back disability was granted a rating of 20 percent since November 5, 2014. The evidence shows the Veteran has limited range of motion in her lumbar spine after this date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to December 7, 2011.

The Veteran's low back disability and PTSD are granted with specific ratings, but the orthopedic manifestations of his low back disability remain remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction was denied. The claims for increased ratings for lumbar spondylosis and right lower extremity sciatica, as well as the TDIU claim, are being remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred during a non-VA hospitalization at Gulf Coast Medical Center on September 1, 2015. The private hospitalization was not considered an emergency by a prudent layperson and VA facilities were feasibly available.

The Board has denied the Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back disorder, neck disorder, left knee disorder, left leg disorder, sleep apnea, and genitourinary disorder as there is no evidence of a current disability or a relationship to service.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to new evidence received since the last decision. The effective date of the hypertension award is also being remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine status post laminectomy. The Board found that there is at least an equipoise of evidence in favor of a relationship between the Veteran's current disability and his in-service injury, thus granting service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and low back condition has been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is reopened, but remains in a pending status as it was not decided on its merits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were reopened due to new and material evidence. Service connection was granted for low back disability, right hip disability, and left ankle disability.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's back disability, but no higher. The criteria for this rating have been met at all times during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for spinal fusion and spondylosis of thoracolumbar spine with stable T12 compression fracture, radiculopathy of right lower extremity, and radiculopathy of left lower extremity. The current 10% ratings are deemed sufficient.

The Veteran's initial rating for PTSD is denied. The Board has remanded other service connection claims related to back, right leg, right knee, and right foot disorders as well as residuals of a TBI.