Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's right shoulder sprain is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is secondary to his service-connected left shoulder degenerative changes.,The Veteran's left hand numbness and right hand numbness are being remanded for a VA examination to determine their relationship to his service-connected conditions or other factors.,The Veteran's left shoulder degenerative changes are being remanded for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition, including range of motion limitations due to pain.,The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with thoracic spine degenerative changes is being remanded for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition, including range of motion limitations due to pain.,The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is being remanded for a VA dermatologist opinion on whether his topical treatment constitutes systemic therapy.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lower back disability was denied, but his service connection claim for PTSD was not addressed. The decision granted restoration of the 40 percent rating for lower back disability effective March 1, 2011.

The Board has granted service connection for low back degenerative arthritis with spondylosis, right hip strain as secondary to the low back disability, and right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the low back disability. Service connection was denied for left hip disorder and left leg disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability, finding that there is no competent medical opinion supporting his claim and noting that his lay contentions are outweighed by the August 2017 examination opinion.

The Board denied a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to October 14, 2010 because the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board denied service connection for TBI, left knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, bilateral shoulder disability, lumbar spine disability, bilateral eye disability, and bilateral foot disability. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing a nexus between the disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's need for aid and attendance is denied because his vision loss, which requires regular assistance from a caregiver, is not related to any service-connected disability. The Board found that the Veteran's functional restrictions are due to his non-service connected blindness.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 and secondary service connection due to procedural issues, lack of medical opinions, and need for updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been rated at 10 percent, but the Board granted a higher rating of 20 percent based on more nearly approximated criteria for pain and functional impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current degenerative joint disease, lumbar spine is service-connected as it was incurred during his active duty.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death, and no service connection decisions were made.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete information regarding his periods of active duty, ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA. The claims will be reconsidered with updated medical opinions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The thoracolumbar spine disability and sciatica of the left lower extremity are each rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied service connection for back and bilateral knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's conditions did not originate during or within one year after his military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a 20 percent rating from July 3, 2010 to April 14, 2011. The Board found that the evidence showed forward flexion limited to 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees during this period.

The Veteran's hypertension and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine were denied service connection. The Veteran's initial rating for his degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was also denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's back disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded for further evaluation to address the severity of these conditions, including any flare-ups and functional loss.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for her service-connected degenerative arthritic changes of the lumbar spine is remanded due to a lack of recent VA examination and outstanding private medical records.