Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a back condition and arthritis, finding that there is no evidence showing a nexus between the current disability and in-service injury. The appeal cannot be reopened on the basis of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of any lumbar spine disorder, including whether it preexisted service or was caused by active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back strain and degenerative joint and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was granted. The decision is based on secondary service connection due to his service-connected residuals of fracture, distal and fibula with diminished right ankle motion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU were denied. The Veteran was granted a TDIU from December 6, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lower back disability, claimed as a strain, was incurred in service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's right knee chondromalacia was granted service connection. Service connection for left knee disorder, low back disorder, and thyroid disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain and TDIU are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence without a waiver, and because a decision on one claim could significantly impact the other.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issue of increasing his rating for lumbar spine disability.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,An effective date earlier than August 15, 2012, for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,New and material evidence having been received, the petition to reopen the claim of service connection for a cervical spine disability and degenerative changes of the lumbar spine is granted.,Entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, and TDIU is remanded.,Entitlement to an increased rating for lumbosacral strain is remanded.,Entitlement to service connection for a right leg disability is remanded.,Entitlement to service connection for headaches is remanded.,Entitlement to service connection for bronchitis is remanded.

The Board denied an increased disability rating for the Veteran's lumbar syndrome, finding that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's service connection claim for hemorrhoids is granted. The remaining claims are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and an increased rating for her minor concussive syndrome, TBI. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU has been remanded due to the need for further development of evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is causally related to his active duty service, including a motorcycle accident in September 1978 and a twist of the back in September 1980. As such, the claim for service connection for a low back disability is granted.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of TBI, lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and PTSD are denied.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for TBI and PTSD are remanded for further development including VA examinations.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of migraines associated with a TBI is also remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, neck disorder, and left knee disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.,The Veteran submitted medical literature suggesting no increased prevalence of radiological osteoarthrosis in parachutists, but this evidence is not probative as it pertains specifically to the Veteran's case.

The Board denied service connection for a left ankle disability, low back disability, and bruises of the left side of the body due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for scoliosis has been reopened and granted. The claim for back disability other than scoliosis is denied, as the current DDD is not related to military service. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is granted.

The Board has denied service connection for neck and low back disabilities, finding that the evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or chronic disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for migraine headaches, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active service. The appeals are not about presumptive exposure or undiagnosed illness.