Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate opinions in previous examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes and limitation of motion of the cervical spine, have rendered him unemployable as of May 5, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition, peptic ulcer disease, irritable bowel syndrome, an increased rating for PTSD, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the severity of his service-connected disabilities and whether they are related to his low back disability. Additionally, a TDIU claim will be considered.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to conduct further development of his claims, including obtaining SSA benefits determination and any necessary examinations or opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinea versicolor, finding that his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on body coverage or systemic therapy. The appeal was also denied regarding service connection for sleep apnea and back disability.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to incomplete development and adjudication.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher rating for his low back disability before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 40 percent from April 5, 2007 to May 28, 2008 due to forward flexion limited to 20 degrees with pain.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine, right knee chondromalacia, and left knee chondromalacia were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a grant of any increased rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for headaches, low back disability, bilateral knee disabilities, acid reflux, and sleep apnea due to inadequate medical opinions in the February 2011 decision. The dental claim is also being remanded for additional VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran withdrew the appeals for increased evaluations of lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, right elbow bursitis, tinnitus and right ear hearing loss prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection in part, finding that there was no pending claim prior to February 27, 2009, and thus any effective date earlier than March 5, 2009 is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability was reopened and granted. The Board found that new evidence related to Agent Orange exposure during Vietnam service may be associated with the current skin rash.,Service connection for sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy, and low back disability were denied as there is no medical evidence of these conditions at any time since separation from service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher evaluation for his lumbar spine disability was granted, with the effective date set at the date of receipt of the claim. The current rating of 20 percent is maintained prior to December 11, 2013, and an increased rating to 40 percent is granted from that date.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at 30 percent since January 31, 2013. His low back disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling but the Board denied a higher rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a low back disability. The case is REMANDED for further development, including obtaining an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current disc disease with stenosis of the lumbosacral spine is related to his service-connected chronic lumbar strain.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee conditions are being remanded to allow for additional development of the evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected chronic thoracolumbar strain and residuals of second metacarpal fracture of the right hand are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of medical records.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to a need to determine the current severity of his service-connected condition and obtain updated VA treatment records.