Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service connection claims for left and right lower extremity neuropathy, as well as a lumbar spine disability, have been granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's claims for neck condition, middle shoulder neurological disability, and right ankle condition have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for back condition has been granted with new evidence submitted since the June 1988 rating decision. The claim for acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and bipolar disorder) has also been reopened due to new evidence, but a final determination on this issue is pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of back, right hip, and left hip disorders due to their being intertwined with the issue of service connection for bilateral pes planus. The RO granted service connection for bilateral pes planus in a separate decision.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for left knee disability, low back disability, and sleep apnea is granted. The claim for left knee disability is remanded for an addendum opinion. The claims for low back disability and sleep apnea are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for thoracic and lumbosacral strain with scoliosis is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination. The effective date prior to March 11, 2015, for the grant of service connection for the Veteran's thoracic and lumbosacral strain with scoliosis remains denied as there was no formal or informal claim received before that date.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication due to incomplete records and need for updated opinions from VA examiners.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back condition and right leg numbness as secondary to a low back condition due to lack of medical evidence on file, including x-rays and MRI. The Veteran is asked to provide information about his treatment post-service and an examination will be scheduled by an appropriate clinician.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including back, left hand, left ankle, right ankle, left knee, and right knee disorders. The decision also noted that the Veteran's vision disorder was not connected to his period of service.

The Veteran's PTSD, Lumbosacral Spine Disability, and Chronic Headache Disorder are all being remanded for further examination and opinion.,Specifically, the Board requested that VA obtain examinations to determine if these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for various conditions and the effective date of TDIU. The Veteran's right knee total arthroplasty remains rated at 60 percent.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her low back disability is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's lumbar disability is granted service connection, and his sleep apnea claim is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for various disabilities, including bilateral ankle, knee, wrist, left mandibular paresthesia, lumbar spine disability (DDD), middle finger disability, and bilateral hip disability. The claims are being remanded to obtain VA examinations and additional medical records.

The Board denied service connection for occipital neuralgia and denied increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, cervical strain, migraines, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has denied reopening of service connection for prostate cancer due to lack of new and material evidence. The Veteran's claim for increased rating for lumbosacral strain with arthritis and TDIU is remanded as the current examination lacks outcome-determinative information.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim of service connection for back disorder (previously claimed as spondylolysis) and remanded it to allow further development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for lumbar strain and PTSD, as well as the issue of TDIU, are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical opinions. The claims will be reconsidered after all necessary development is completed.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection are denied as the earliest date of entitlement is April 16, 2013, which is the day following his discharge from active duty.,The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection are denied as the earliest date of entitlement is April 16, 2013, which is the day following his discharge from active duty.

The Board denied service connection for thoracolumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and headaches as there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active service.