Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Veteran's migraines are rated at a compensable disability rating of 30 percent, and her DDD of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board finds that these ratings adequately reflect the severity of her service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to inadequate examination and new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain is rated at a 10% disability rating. During the pendency of the appeal, his condition worsened and he experienced pain throughout the range of motion testing, warranting an increase to a 20% disability rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and a pulmonary disability. The reopened claims are now addressed in the remand.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication of the issues on appeal, including obtaining additional evidence and arranging for medical examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disability, sinusitis, and right foot disability due to lack of new and material evidence. The Veteran does not have current disabilities for which he seeks service connection.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain has been rated at 20 percent since September 1, 2010. The current rating is appropriate given the symptoms and range of motion.

The Board denied service connection for a sebaceous cyst, low back disability, right hand disability, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's appeal was not successful in any of these claims.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder as secondary to his service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's bilateral cubital tunnel syndrome was found to have manifested during service and is related to service. The cervical spine disability, including arthritis and degenerative disc disease, as well as cervical radiculopathy, are not currently addressed due to the need for a remand.

The Veteran's initial ratings for degenerative joint disease, status post laminectomy, of the lumbosacral spine and rotator cuff tendonitis of the left shoulder remain at 20 percent.,No higher rating is warranted as there is no evidence of ankylosis or additional associated neurological abnormalities.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings have been withdrawn, and the cases are dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation at the housebound rate is being remanded due to a need for further development, including medical examination and consideration of whether his service-connected disability alone serves as the basis for his TDIU rating and if he is permanently housebound.

The Veteran's service-connected multilevel degenerative disc and joint disease of the thoracic and lumbar spine is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess its current severity. The RO must also obtain any relevant private treatment records identified by the Veteran.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left carpal tunnel syndrome, skin rashes (claimed as herbicide exposure), and degenerative disc disease lumbar spine. The Veteran's claim for PTSD was granted with a 10% evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to insufficient rationale in a previous VA opinion and confusion regarding when the Veteran's low back pain started.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claims of service connection for right knee, low back, and asthma disabilities. The case is being remanded for further development including obtaining SSA records, translating French medical records, and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a scheduling issue for his requested Board video-conference hearing. His claims for service connection remain pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his lower back condition. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has also been raised.