Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder and low back disability are remanded due to new evidence received within one year of the original July 2014 rating decision. The VA examinations will be conducted to determine if these conditions had their onset in service or are otherwise etiologically related to service, including exposure to burn pits.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA spine examinations and the need for additional VA treatment records. The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine degenerative joint disease is being considered for an increased rating.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the current condition is not related to service.,Service connection was also denied for left lower leg radiculopathy as secondary to a service-connected disability due to lack of evidence linking it to service or a pre-existing condition.,Tinnitus was granted service connection based on in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records from the Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC). The Veteran's attorney and the RO have not provided the Veteran with a copy of the July 2018 administrative decision outlining procedures taken to locate the records.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and prostate cancer due to additional development being needed, including obtaining VA medical records from specific facilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity should be remanded for further development as there are conflicting medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for chronic cervical sprain, cervicogenic headaches, lumbar sprain with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), right lower leg sciatic radulopathy, and PTSD were denied earlier than the dates they were received.,An effective date earlier than August 25, 2008, was not granted for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating and TDIU related to his lumbar spine disability was denied due to failure to report for necessary VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to new VA medical records being added to the claims file, and the Veteran has not provided a response. The claim will be returned to the AOJ for review.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted a 40% rating effective February 7, 2019.,The Veteran's right knee disability remains at a 10% rating.,The Veteran's right wrist disability remains at a 0% (non-compensable) rating.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether his current condition is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and low back disability have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran had in-service noise exposure which may be related to his current hearing loss, and credible lay testimony supported a finding of service connection for both hearing loss and tinnitus. However, there was no evidence linking the low back disability to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder did not manifest during service or is otherwise related to his military service. The claim for secondary service connection due to bilateral foot disability was also denied.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a lower back condition was granted. His claim for PTSD with symptoms of depression and anxiety was denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to determine if the Veteran's low back condition, bilateral foot condition, and bilateral leg condition with sciatica are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and right knee instability were denied as the evidence did not show that any of these conditions warranted a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his bronchitis.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of cervical spine disability, back disability, and scoliosis were dismissed as he only appealed his claim for an increased rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for thoracolumbar strain and chronic chondromalacia patellae of the left knee, finding that these conditions are related to in-service injuries.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected. The respiratory condition, lumbar spine condition, right leg condition, heart disease, erectile dysfunction, and headaches are remanded for further examination and opinion.