Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative, resulting in the dismissal of all issues related to service connection.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, kidney disorder, back disorder, hypertension, upper extremity neuropathy, and lower extremity neuropathy as secondary to diabetes mellitus. The claims are being remanded for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus and obstructive sleep apnea. The claims for a lumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 13, 2006, for service connection of low back strain was denied. The Board also remanded several issues related to his knee and ankle disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include service connection for bilateral hip, left knee, and back disabilities.

The Veteran's hypertension is treated with medication, but there was no evidence of a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more. The Veteran's back disability has been remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to address functional loss and additional limitations of motion due to flare-ups, as well as to determine whether an extraschedular rating is warranted.

The Veteran is seeking an effective date earlier than October 6, 2009 for the grant of service connection for lumbar spine disability. The Board finds that this claim is not warranted as the effective date was correctly assigned based on receipt of a reopened claim after final disallowance.,The Veteran is also seeking an effective date earlier than October 6, 2009 for the grant of service connection for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities. The Board finds that this claim is not warranted as the effective date was correctly assigned based on receipt of a reopened claim after final disallowance.,The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for lumbar spine disability, and TDIU. These claims are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease with stenosis, status post anterior cervical fusion, had its onset during service and is granted service connection.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim of service connection for ulcerative colitis was granted, and he is now entitled to service connection for this condition. The claims for sleep apnea, back disability, arthritis, and gout are remanded for further review.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU rating effective prior to February 27, 2015 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine has been granted a 20 percent disability rating, effective from January 16, 2019. The condition is characterized by forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bone cyst of the left tibia and his back disability, as well as a need for an opinion on radiculopathy in the lower extremities.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain and right knee disabilities are being remanded for further examination to address functional loss due to flare-ups.

The Board denied service connection for lumbosacral strain and paralysis of the sciatic nerve, finding no credible evidence that these conditions began during or were related to active service.

The claims for service connection of low back condition, left leg condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence that relates to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate the claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, and tinnitus as there is no competent evidence showing a current disability during the period on appeal.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus as the evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred in or related to service.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the Board found no evidence linking his heart condition to his active duty service or any potential exposure to herbicides while stationed at Korat RTAFB.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, has been reopened. His chronic low back pain with DDD and radiculopathy have also been remanded for further review.