Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's lumbar spine and knee DJD disabilities are being remanded for further development due to inadequate previous examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities, including whether he is unemployable.

The Veteran's lumbar strain with degenerative changes is currently rated at 20 percent, and his PTSD with secondary alcohol use disorder and substance-induced depressive disorder with anxious distress is rated at 70 percent. Both issues have been granted.

The Veteran's initial and increased disability ratings for lumbosacral strain and right foot plantar fasciitis have been denied. The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 10%, 20%, and 40% from August 26, 2011 to June 6, 2016 respectively, while his right foot condition remains at 20%. No new evidence or changes in service connection are indicated.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine was granted a 20% rating effective May 17, 2017. Prior to this date, her disability had not met criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's lost flexion of the left and right hips, as well as a back disability and left leg radiculopathy are rated at non-compensable levels. The Board has granted ratings for these conditions but finds that remand is necessary to obtain additional medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left shoulder strain, cervical spine disability (neck pain and stiffness), lumbar spine disability (lower back pain), left ankle sprain, and right ankle sprain due to lack of medical documentation of continued care from 1994 to 2012. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection claims.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete service treatment records from the Veteran's active duty period in November 2009 through June 2010. The RO is instructed to make additional attempts to obtain these records and provide them to the claims file.

The Board has determined that the VA examination provided was incomplete and requires further development to determine if the Veteran's back disability is related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, and radiculopathy of the left upper extremity as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected intervertebral lumbar spine disc disease.

The Veteran's back condition (spondylolisthesis) and left ankle condition are granted service connection as direct service connection. The case is remanded for a new VA examination to determine the etiology of the left ankle condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including low blood cell count, respiratory disorder, swelling of the extremities, back disorder, tuberculosis, osteoporosis, prostate cancer, bladder disorder, IBS (bowel disorder), dental disorder, and schizophrenia have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen any of these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development and consideration, including obtaining outstanding medical records and addressing issues related to TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is granted due to a continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity require additional examinations to determine their current severity.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disability, an eye disability, and diabetes mellitus due to lack of contemporaneous medical evidence. The Veteran was provided with additional opportunities to attend examinations.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to incomplete records and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's lower back, bilateral hip, and left knee disabilities are found to be related to his service-connected pes planus.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's bilateral eye disability as it is considered a residual of his TBI.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for hepatitis C, low back disability, and right knee disability have been reopened. The Board finds new and material evidence has been received to support these claims.