Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection, increased rating for PTSD, and TDIU are not ready for decision due to the need for additional examinations and records. The case is therefore REMANDED.

The Veteran's sensorineural hearing loss in the right ear is currently rated as noncompensable (0 percent) from April 5, 2016. The Veteran does not have a current disability of sensorineural hearing loss in the left ear for VA purposes.,Service connection for the left shoulder disorder and right shoulder disorder are both denied because there was no in-service injury, disease, or event associated with either shoulder.,The Veteran's low back disorder is currently rated as noncompensable (0 percent) from April 5, 2016. The current lower back disorder did not have its onset during service and is not otherwise related to active duty service.,Service connection for TBI is remanded due to insufficient competent medical evidence on file.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, and low back disabilities. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of left eye injury has been reopened and service connection is granted.,The Veteran's claim for lumbar spine disability has been reopened and service connection is granted. The Board found that the preexisting condition was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his service connection claims for a left shoulder disorder and lumbar spine disorder, are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The Veteran has also filed a notice of disagreement regarding these issues, but an SOC addressing this has not been issued yet.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a back disorder and hypertension are being remanded due to inadequate opinions in the previous VA examinations. A new examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding Social Security Administration records and the need for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's low back disability is related to service.

The Board has remanded the claim for a new VA examination to reassess the severity of the Veteran's low back disability due to inadequate testing in previous examinations.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was rated at 10 percent from October 30, 2014 to December 19, 2018. The Board granted a higher rating of 30 percent for this period based on the evidence showing more severe symptoms and limitations.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD is granted, and the issue of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's low back disability and hypothyroidism are granted service connection, but the right knee disability and fatigue require further examination and determination.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. A rating of 40 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine since March 9, 2017 is granted.

This decision dismisses all claims for service connection. The Veteran's bowel disorder, prostate cancer, and diabetes mellitus, type II have been granted in full by a March 2018 rating decision.,The claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain with anterolisthesis and degenerative disc disease is denied as the evidence does not show that the Veteran's disability warrants a higher than 30 percent rating at any point during the relevant period.,The claim for a 20 percent rating for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is granted from September 24, 2012 to July 18, 2015.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed stressors and medical records. The Veteran is also not entitled to a rating or effective date at this time.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of prostate cancer, lower back disability, and left knee disability. These claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeal for withholding of VA disability compensation benefits due to military drill pay was denied as the evidence did not support his claim that he had fewer than 83 days of INACDUTRA in FY 2011 and FY 2012.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sickle cell anemia has been denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or superimposed disease.,The Veteran's claim for higher initial ratings for various disabilities, including blurred vision, hearing loss, and PTSD with memory loss, are remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining outstanding VA and private treatment records. The case will also be referred to the Director of Compensation Services for an initial adjudication on whether an extraschedular TDIU should be granted prior to January 28, 2015.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and psychiatric disability are denied. The claims for service connection for left knee and back disabilities are remanded due to incomplete examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip, right hip, and low back disorders due to a lack of medical evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran is required to undergo further examination by VA to determine if his current hip and back conditions are related to service.