Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of a total right knee replacement prior to October 5, 2016 is being remanded due to insufficient information in the April 2016 VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his total disability due to individual unemployability is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for recurrent lumbosacral strain with osteoarthritis and osteoporosis was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened based on the submission of new and material evidence, but it remains denied as there is no credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. Service connection was not granted due to lack of evidence linking the claimed conditions to his active duty, and initial evaluations were denied as well.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the evidence did not establish a link between the condition and active military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, tinnitus, and initial rating for degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine have been granted. The remaining issues are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and unverified stressor events. The Veteran is required to provide additional medical evidence from VA facilities, as well as unit records to support his exposure claims.

The Board has denied service connection for residuals of left hand burn and remanded the issues of service connection for slipped lumbar disc with sciatica and sciatic pain in both legs.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and a lumbar spine disability due to insufficient development and consideration.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's back condition is related to his military service, and any relevant treatment records should be obtained.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral pes planus from November 4, 2008 to September 29, 2015 is denied. The Veteran was granted a TDIU prior to September 17, 2010.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's back condition and tinnitus are not service-connected, but he was granted service connection for IHD and DMII as due to herbicide exposure.,His hearing loss is not rated compensably.

The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus was denied, but the RO reopened and granted service connection. The initial rating assigned is 10 percent.,Service connection for DJD of thoracolumbar spine was granted with an initial rating of 10 percent. Service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of thoracolumbar spine was not established as it was not shown in service or presumed due to herbicide exposure. Service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, PTSD, and depressive disorder were all granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional medical evidence regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, specifically related to functional loss during flare-ups and whether such loss is equivalent to ankylosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and chest pain with breathing problems due to outstanding VA and private treatment records needing to be updated. Additionally, a new examination is required to clarify whether the Veteran currently suffers from a chest-related diagnosis and to determine if his back disabilities are related to service or aggravated by his left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric disorders, sleep disorder, back disorder, bilateral knee disorders, and bilateral ankle disorders are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability was denied due to lack of in-service disease or injury. The new evidence received does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

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 a back condition. The evidence submitted does not address the unestablished nexus element from the January 2008 rating decision.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a low back disorder due to insufficient evidence and the need for a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and a back disability, finding that new and material evidence was not received to reopen these previously denied claims.