Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for increased rating for back disorder was also denied as the evidence did not show a chronic disability in service or establish that any current condition is related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, and low back conditions have been denied. The Board has remanded the case due to a failure of the RO to issue a statement of the case regarding an increased disability rating for PTSD.

The Board has determined that additional development is required before the appeal can be decided, including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any currently present back disability, hip disability, residuals of a chest injury (scar tissue), and residuals of viral syndrome (memory loss).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of his low back disability, as well as for an extraschedular TDIU prior to June 26, 2014.

The Veteran's initial and increased ratings for left knee disability, right knee disability, cervical spine disability prior to December 19, 2017, and lumbar spine disability as of December 19, 2017 have been denied.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is rated at 10 percent, but no more. The lumbar strain and bilateral knee disorders are each rated at 10 percent.,PTSD was granted a 70 percent rating prior to January 31, 2014, with the possibility of an increased rating from that date onwards.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD and Lumbar Sprain was denied as there is no evidence that a prior informal claim existed before August 14, 2014.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss due to withdrawal by his representative. The claim for service connection of back condition is remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability, left ear hearing loss, and lumbosacral spine strain require additional development due to incomplete examination reports and need for further medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral foot and low back disabilities are not related to his active military service, as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his time in service. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a low back disability and granted it, finding that there is sufficient evidence to support the claim. The appellant's testimony regarding an in-service injury was found credible, and his private chiropractor provided a competent opinion linking his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various psychiatric, hearing, back, hypertension, migraine headaches, tinnitus, shoulder, frostbite, circulatory problems, lymphadenopathy and TBI disorders have been reopened. However, the claims remain denied as there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for a right thumb disability and remanded the issues of service connection for PTSD and low back disability. The Veteran's claims are now pending with the RO.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and gastrointestinal disability (IBS) due to incomplete records and need for further medical examination.

The Board has denied earlier effective dates for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as there was no communication prior to September 11, 2008 that could be construed as a claim.,Service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy is granted secondary to the service-connected cervical spine disorder. Service connection for seizure disorder is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, which was previously denied due to lack of a nexus between the condition and active duty service. The Board also granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, finding that there is continuity of symptoms since service separation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for dizziness has been denied. The Board found no current disability upon which to base a claim of service connection. Service connection is also remanded for back, right leg, and bilateral knee disorders due to combat service.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability is not service-connected.,Her left and right knee disabilities are not service-connected.,Her back and neck disabilities are not service-connected.,Her respiratory, cardiovascular, GERD, benign neoplasm/lipoma removal, and migraines are not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back condition and bilateral radiculopathy of the lower extremities, as well as his claim for a TDIU. Additional development is required to consider these issues.

The Board has determined that there have been issues with obtaining the Veteran's service treatment records and these must be obtained again. The appeal is being remanded to ensure all necessary efforts are made to secure these records.