Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 10 percent, effective September 1, 2007. The RO has determined that this rating adequately reflects his disability.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent, and his right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are each rated at 10 percent. These ratings have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and VA examinations. The issues of rating his service-connected lumbar strain and right wrist cyst are still pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease with spondylosis.

The Veteran's low back disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy have not been found to warrant a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria. The Board has determined that there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes for the left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current low back or neck disability and finds the Veteran's claims for service connection to be denied as his claimed conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disorders did not manifest during service or are otherwise related to military service, thus denying service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations for his service-connected right shoulder bicipital tendonitis and bursitis, cervical strain, and dorsolumbar strain were denied by the Board. The case is being remanded to consider whether staged ratings are warranted.

The Veteran's back and left foot disabilities have been granted initial disability ratings, with the back receiving a higher rating than initially assigned.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new examination to assess the severity of his lumbosacral spine condition.

The Veteran's current right hand disability and low back disability are service-connected as they were incurred during his active military service. Diabetes mellitus is not service-connected due to lack of evidence of in-service exposure or a direct link.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 20 percent, and his right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 10 percent. The left lower extremity radiculopathy has not been evaluated as a separate condition.

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete STRs and for a medical opinion regarding hypertension. The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, hepatitis C, and hypertension are all at issue.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine and lumbar radiculopathy, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations, treatment records, and further development of his service-connected lumbar spine and left lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted. The Veteran is now entitled to increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and mood disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected cervical spine, lumbar spine, and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disorder requires additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, in-service hospitalization records, and any outstanding service department records. The Veteran will be scheduled for an appropriate VA examination to assess the etiology of his lumbar spine disorder(s).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining inpatient treatment records from Saigon Hospital and private medical records. The claim of service connection for a low back disability will be addressed, as well as the issue of an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to appear for a scheduled videoconference hearing. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for further action.