Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination and updated treatment records, as well as notification of missing VA treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and degenerative disc disease, finding that there was no credible evidence linking his current disabilities to his in-service diving injury.

The Veteran's petition to reopen a claim for service connection for conjunctivitis was denied. The Board also remanded the cases of increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and fracture right 5th metatarsal with arthritic changes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as new and material evidence was not submitted. The Board found that the Veteran's statements regarding his disabilities were redundant of previous evidence.

The Board has determined that the TDIU claim must be remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to work. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board dismissed all appeals related to left ear hearing loss, left foot plantar fasciitis, right ear hearing loss, and the rating for right foot plantar fasciitis. The appeal regarding a higher rating for IVDS with DDD of the thoracolumbar spine is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for a low back disability and degenerative joint disease of the left knee due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease due to herbicide agent exposure, and remanded the remaining issues related to heart conditions, hypertension, cerebrovascular accident (CVA or stroke), sleep apnea, seizures, peripheral neuropathy, and an acquired psychological disability.

The Board has denied service connection for a low back disability, tinnitus, hypertension, and depression. The Veteran's current disabilities are not related to his period of active service.,A new VA examination is needed to determine the severity of the Veteran's left knee disability.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for arthritis of the lumbar spine with IVDS and lumbar disc herniation was denied, as her disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been reopened, and the Board has granted a separate 20 percent rating for left knee cartilage impairment. The issues of service connection for low back disability, right ankle disability, psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder was denied. The Veteran's depressive disorder and substance abuse disorder associated with chronic lumbosacral strain were granted a rating of 100 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran's conjunctivitis was granted a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, and his TDIU claim is granted. The Board also remanded the issues of increased ratings for right knee degenerative joint disease and left knee chondromalacia patella.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings and earlier effective dates for lumbosacral strain, PTSD, and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been withdrawn. The Board has dismissed these appeals.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims on appeal due to inadequate range of motion testing in previous VA examinations. The Veteran will be scheduled for new VA examinations to assess his right knee and back disabilities, as well as his headaches.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for increased evaluations related to right knee arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine before a decision was made.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease was granted a 40% disability rating prior to December 12, 2016. The appeal for higher ratings is denied throughout the period on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for low back pain has been reopened and is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

This decision denies service connection for right knee, left knee, and low back disabilities. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% since January 3, 2013.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine did not begin during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury.