Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disorder with sciatic nerve pain and DJD, as well as coronary artery disease. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during or were otherwise related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU due to his service-connected low back disability. The case is being returned for further development, including obtaining additional medical evidence and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is rated at 40 percent effective August 18, 2016. The Board also granted a TDIU rating as of March 12, 2015.

The Veteran's multiple service-connected conditions, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and hypertension, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen the claims for service connection for a left hip disability and low back disability is granted. The appeals for service connection for TBI and PTSD are denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine condition was denied as new and material evidence had not been received. The Board found that the provided evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.,The Veteran's claims for service connection of low back disability, left knee disability, and heart condition (CAD) were reopened due to receipt of new and material evidence. However, the claims for heart condition (CAD) and right knee disability remain denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding service connection claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that further development is needed to properly adjudicate his claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and radiculopathy of the lower extremities, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. As such, TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on all issues except bilateral foot and toenail fungus is dismissed. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's chronic tension headaches have been granted a 50% rating effective October 30, 2014. Prior to this date, the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for joint problems of the neck, ischemic heart disease, prostate cancer as a result of exposure to herbicides, squamous cell carcinoma, top of left hand, and lumbar herniated nucleus pulposus, post laminectomy syndrome (L5-S1) with lumbar instability.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for his left shoulder disability has been granted at a 20% level. However, the issue of an increased rating for lumbar spondylosis is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and bipolar disorder, are granted. The appeal is granted to this extent only.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for cervical spine DJD and thoracolumbar spine DDD as they have not been evaluated in over five years, and additional development is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for low back, cervical spine, right shoulder, right arm, and right-hand disabilities. The claim for a right leg disability is also granted. Service connection was denied for a rib cage disability.

The Board has denied service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the issues of service connection for back condition (secondary to bilateral knee condition) and bilateral ankle condition (secondary to bilateral knee condition).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar and thoracic degenerative disease, lower radicular group neuritis (right upper extremity), cervical degenerative disc disease with stenosis, and sciatic neuralgia (right lower extremity), are deemed to be severe enough to prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. However, the VA examinations were found inadequate due to lack of assessment on the effects of his medications.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the spine and granted service connection for right ear hearing loss. The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current back condition to his in-service parachute injury, while finding that his significant bilateral hearing loss is related to acoustic trauma during military service.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension due to lack of evidence showing its onset in service or within one year of service. The Veteran's thoracolumbar disorder is remanded for further examination and rating.