Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's back disability and right lower leg sciatic radiculopathy have been rated, but the appeals for increased ratings are denied.

The Veteran's initial higher ratings for right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity entrapment of the lumbar nerve root were denied. The Veteran was granted a 20 percent rating through December 5, 2016, but not higher than 40 percent beginning December 6, 2016.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's low back disability, ischemic heart disease (IHD), atrial fibrillation, and idiopathic chronic neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are not service-connected. The case is being sent back for further development.

The Veteran's TDIU application is granted due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for memory loss and a back disorder due to inadequate rationale in previous medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple service connection claims for various conditions, and the Board has ordered a hearing at the RO before a local hearing officer to address these matters.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied due to lack of a diagnosis, and no new and material evidence was provided.,The Veteran's claim for cervical HNP was denied as there is no evidence it occurred during service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for cervical strain and remanded all other issues due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's current neck disorder, arthritis, IVDS, and umbilical hernia are being evaluated.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and joint disease had its onset during service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's hypertension is denied as it is neither proximately due to nor aggravated by diabetes mellitus type 2, and is not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran’s back disorder is remanded for further development of evidence regarding in-service and post-service pain.,The Veteran’s left ankle disorder is remanded for a medical opinion addressing his reports of ankle pain following service.,The Veteran’s right ankle disorder is remanded for a medical opinion addressing the relationship between favoring his left ankle and his current right ankle disorder.,The Veteran’s tuberculosis claim requires a VA examination to determine if it may be related to in-service treatment at Fort Polk, Louisiana.,The Veteran’s skin disorder is remanded for an addendum opinion addressing whether his lay statements of continued symptoms since service are supported by medical evidence.,The Veteran’s acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and adjustment disorder with depressed mood) is remanded for a medical opinion regarding the possibility of prior diagnoses related to service.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2 rating claim is remanded for assignment of an effective date prior to March 14, 2006.,The Veteran’s peripheral neuropathy claims are remanded for initial ratings and effective dates.,The Veteran’s back examination will include assessment of any neuropathy symptoms related to the back.

The Veteran is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected lumbar spine disability, which has rendered him unemployable.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back disability and left ear hearing loss due to insufficient evidence. The claim for acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for neck, back, and bilateral shoulder disabilities were denied as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.,No new or material evidence has been presented that would support reopening the claims.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection has been granted. He was previously awarded a 30% rating for PTSD effective July 28, 2011.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a back condition due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology. A VA examination is needed to determine if his current back pain is related to his military service.

The Board has dismissed all issues related to service connection and increased disability rating for the Veteran due to his death.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The Board found that the received evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claims.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his lumbar spine disability from September 1, 2006, to February 10, 2015, is being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. The Board requires an addendum medical opinion to determine the severity of the Veteran's condition during this period.

The Veteran's lumbar DJD, IVDS and thoracic scoliosis are rated at a 20 percent disability level. The rating is granted.