Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service connection claims for left foot fracture, bilateral hand disorder, cervical spine disability, and left shoulder strain have all been denied. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbar disc herniation has also been denied.,Service connection was not granted due to lack of evidence of current disabilities or a link between the claimed conditions and service.

The Veteran's spine disability is rated at 40 percent, but the Board found no basis for a higher rating due to lack of unfavorable ankylosis. The right shoulder disability and erectile dysfunction are both rated as noncompensable.,Service connection for a right ankle disorder remains pending as the AOJ needs to schedule a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the issues of earlier effective dates for prostate cancer service connection, rating from June 27, 2016 to October 18, 2018, and TDIU prior to November 21, 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for thoracolumbar strain with degenerative joint disease (DJD), finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service and considering lay statements of record.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for multiple hernia surgeries and an increased rating for his low back disability due to missing service treatment records, lack of a VA examination compliant with 38 C.F.R. § 4.59, and other issues.

Service connection for a lower back disability including DJD and DDD is granted. Service connection for a right knee disorder is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and lumbar spine, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his in-service injuries. Service connection was denied for headaches, an acquired psychiatric disorder (likely depression or PTSD), and a sleep disorder.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for back, right leg, and right knee disabilities due to their death during the appeal process.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD, finding that the Veteran's condition is aggravated by medications he takes for his service-connected low back disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for low back pain as secondary to her service-connected disability of pes planus and plantar fasciitis, finding that there is reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus with osteoarthritis, chronic lumbosacral strain, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome have been rated as they are currently manifested. The maximum schedular rating of 50% for bilateral pes planus has been assigned.

The Board denied service connection for left ankle sprain, low back muscle strain, facial skin rash, and PTSD. The Veteran's claims were reopened due to new evidence received more than one year after the October 1994 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete Reserve records and unverified ACDUTRA/INACDUTRA periods of service.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder with depressed mood). The criteria for these conditions were met as they began during service and have continued since.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a back condition and right foot condition due to the need for additional medical examinations to address whether these conditions are related to service or secondary to his already service-connected right ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spondylosis, spinal stenosis, L-5 radiculopathy, and lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD) due to unclear in-service events or injuries that relate to these conditions. Further development is required.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine was incurred or aggravated during periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) in his National Guard service.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,An effective date prior to June 6, 2016 for service connection of degenerative disc disease lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and right lower extremity radiculopathy is denied.,Entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy is remanded.,Service connection for a cardiac disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, and rheumatoid arthritis is remanded.,,,

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's low back and left hip disabilities are secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The VA must provide an addendum opinion addressing this issue.

The petition to reopen the claim for service connection for a low back condition upon the submission of new and material evidence is denied.,The petition to reopen the claim for service connection for a detached left retina (left eye condition) upon the submission of new and material evidence is denied.