Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, and PTSD. The claims are now remanded for further development including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection for various disabilities, including a right wrist disability, back disability, right leg disability, left foot disability, and right foot disability (including a right big toe disability). The Veteran will be provided with new VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, a skin disorder (claimed as dermatitis), an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression), residuals of pneumonia, and a back disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or post-service treatment records.

The Veteran's claim to reopen a service connection for low back condition is granted. The issues of service connection for GERD, RLS, and sleep apnea are remanded. The issue of rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, onychomycosis, and hypertension is also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have made it impossible for him to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment since December 21, 2013.

The Veteran's right wrist tendonitis is rated at 10 percent, and his degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine remains at a 10 percent rating. No higher ratings are granted.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine. The neck disability and headaches claims are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 20% prior to December 13, 2017 and at 40% thereafter. A separate 10% rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy from December 13, 2017 and a 20% rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy from October 10, 2012 are granted. Special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional opinions regarding his low back condition, left shoulder injury, neck condition, and dizziness or balance issues.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and adjudication due to inadequate examination findings regarding the Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease involving L4-L5.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service. The in-service back pain was considered self-limiting and did not progress into degenerative arthritis.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracolumbar arthritis, left knee arthritis, and right knee arthritis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU rating are remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as potential need for new examinations.

The Board has dismissed all the issues related to service connection and rating for hypertension, lumbar spine disorder, PTSD, and TDIU due to the death of the appellant.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and denied entitlement to increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, low back disorder, and left knee replacement residuals. The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted.

The Veteran's hypertension and right breast mass were not incurred in or related to her military service.,Her right ovarian cyst status post laparoscopy was also not incurred in or related to her military service.

The Board denied a rating higher than 40 percent for the Veteran's low back disability on an extraschedular basis, finding that the available schedular ratings adequately described her disability picture.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The claims for chronic lumbar strain, right ear hearing loss disability, colon polyps including colon cancer, and carpel tunnel of the right hand are being remanded due to additional medical evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for a low back disability due to insufficient evidence and need for an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.