Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the percentage threshold criteria for a TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16 (a), and his claim on that basis is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and other disabilities have been granted, but a higher rating for PTSD is denied. A total disability rating based on individual employability due to service-connected disability prior to April 7, 2016 has also been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has granted them. However, the claims are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding his back disability and left knee disability.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral hand disability, neck disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, and sleep apnea. The decision also remanded the issue of an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right shoulder strain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to insufficient evidence and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent since August 15, 2016. A separate rating of 10 percent for mild right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with the lumbar spine disability was granted effective January 22, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to his service-connected lumbar spine and radiculopathy disabilities. The claims are being remanded for additional examinations, treatment records, and consideration of SSA disability benefits.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is remanded due to concerns about the credibility of his statements and need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and effective dates prior to December 23, 2014 were denied as there was no formal or informal claim filed before that date.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claims for service connection for back and right knee disabilities can be adjudicated. The case is being remanded to obtain a new examination and medical opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for a back disorder. The case is now remanded for further development, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Board denied service connection for lower back disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, and heart condition as there was no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence.

The appeal of the TDIU prior to March 6, 2010 is being remanded due to its inextricability with the low back disability claim. The low back disability rating claim has also been remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection, including reopening of claims for various conditions. The Veteran's PTSD is also being evaluated further.

The Board has denied an increased rating for degenerative disc changes L4-L5 and has remanded the issue of TDIU due to service-connected disability.

The Veteran's initial increased rating claims for his coronary artery disease, degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbosacral spine, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity are being remanded due to incomplete development.,Further examination is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis with spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine and a rating in excess of 20 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy remains pending.,The Veteran is also seeking TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, low back disability, and neurological disability of the lower extremities. The Veteran's headaches are considered a symptom of his service-connected sinusitis. His low back disability is not related to service or within one year post-service separation. His neurological disability of the lower extremities is also not related to service.,The Board found that the Veteran has current diagnoses for these conditions, but did not find sufficient evidence to establish their onset in service.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease and secondary service connection for right leg radiculopathy, both related to the Veteran's military service.