Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's back condition, left shoulder impingement, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity have been granted or remanded. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus remains unresolved.,Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine has not been established.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability was not more nearly manifested by forward flexion of 30 degrees or less, or favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine. The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The cases of lumbar spine disability and respiratory disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied service connection for low back, left hip, and right hip disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing their onset in service or relationship to service.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability was rated at 10 percent prior to October 2, 2018 and at 20 percent from March 3, 2017 to October 1, 2018. The claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent from October 2, 2018 was denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for osteoarthritis of the cervical spine and lumbar spine, as well as left upper extremity radiculopathy (LUE), have been denied.,A total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities has been granted from December 7, 2017.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder, finding that the evidence does not support a link between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a right knee and back disability as additional development is needed before a decision can be made.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as bronchitis. Additional medical opinions are needed to address the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's current neck and back conditions are related to his military service, with the Board granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The AOJ also dismissed the claim of an earlier effective date for left hip degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his herniated disc of the lumbar spine and PTSD are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's sarcoidosis is granted service connection, and her back, left knee, right knee, and right shoulder disabilities are denied. The heart disability and left shoulder disability claims are also denied.

The Board denied service connection for low back and cervical spine disabilities, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that caused the current conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, low back pain, and lumbar radiculopathy. The evidence supports a link between the Veteran's in-service noise exposure and his current right ear hearing loss, as well as a link between his in-service lifting duties and his current low back pain and associated radiculopathy.

The Veteran's back disability and related radiculopathy are being remanded for further evaluation, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his conditions. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its inextricable link with the other claims.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection, increased evaluations, and initial compensable evaluations have been dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal of these issues prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate development and need for additional medical examination.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability in February 2012 and the Veteran did not appeal. New evidence submitted since then does not relate to unestablished facts and fails to raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, lower back disability, and bilateral knee disabilities. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.