Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of lumbar disc disease, right ear hearing loss, left and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, and major depression are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete records and procedural issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding the etiology of her claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional medical opinions. The issues include mental health disorders, sleep apnea, headaches, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back disorder, right leg disorder, left leg disorder, kidney cancer, and erectile dysfunction.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea syndrome, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a link between current sleep apnea and service. The rating for the back disability was restored to 40% after being reduced due to CUE, but the Veteran's request for an increased rating beyond 40% was denied.,The scars were rated at 10%, with no increase sought or granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence and a need for further examination regarding whether the Veteran's current degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for neck, back, right knee, right foot, and left foot disabilities due to insufficient rationale in the VA examinations and the need for updated VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various foot, knee, back, and hand disabilities due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions on the etiology of the Veteran's conditions and lack of a clear diagnosis for PTSD under DSM-5.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease and mixed headache syndrome, migraine predominant were granted initial ratings of 40 percent prior to February 22, 2010; from May 1, 2010 until November 16, 2015; and beginning November 16, 2015. The Veteran was also granted a TDIU effective September 1, 2008.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for new examinations and updated medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination to address the Veteran's lumbar radiculopathy and other symptoms related to her degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with posterolisthesis.

The Board has dismissed the claims of service connection for arthritis, back disability, lung disability, and sleep disorder as there is no controversy or claim regarding these conditions. The appeal for non-service-connected pension benefits is remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his right thumb disability, or for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD. The TDIU claim was also denied as there is no evidence showing he could not secure and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to January 28, 2012. The Board found the VA examinations inadequate and ordered additional examination on his low back disability and associated radiculopathy.

The Veteran's low back disability was granted a 20% rating prior to October 21, 2014 and denied any higher rating after that date.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left lower extremity radiculopathy and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine are being remanded due to the need for new examinations.

The Veteran's lumbar spine DJD with L5 spondylolysis, spondylolisthesis, and IVDS is rated at 20 percent.,The Veteran's right knee scar is not compensable.

The Board has remanded the cases due to outstanding military records and inadequate VA examination for neck disability. The claims for service connection are not decided yet.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and TBI have been reopened, with the claim for allergic rhinitis with epistaxis being denied.,Service connection has been granted for migraine and post-concussion traumatic headaches.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been remanded due to the need for further development.,Service connection has been granted for limitation of flexion of the right knee, but an earlier effective date is denied.