Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings on his service-connected lumbar spine condition, bilateral knee conditions, and pes planus was dismissed as he withdrew the claim. The appeals for tingling and numbness in the right shoulder and a respiratory disorder were remanded.

The Board found that a timely substantive appeal was not received as to the July 2004 rating decision, which denied service connection for numbness arms and legs, residual from laceration right medial calf, hypertension, residual of battery acid in left eye, and right shoulder rotator cuff tear. The Veteran's claim for major depressive disorder was granted with an effective date of December 12, 2007.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability, finding that it did not develop during service and is more likely due to post-service work-related injuries.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased disability ratings were denied. The Veteran was granted initial non-compensable evaluations for low back strain prior to June 16, 2017, and a 10% evaluation since then. Claims for bilateral hearing loss, left wrist disorder, right wrist disorder, right knee disorder, and facial swelling/numbness were remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to lack of medical documentation in the Veteran's service treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for low back and left knee disabilities, but remanded the right knee disability due to insufficient evidence.

The appeal to reopen a claim for service connection for a low back disability is granted. Service connection for the same condition, secondary to a service-connected left knee disability, is also granted. The case is remanded for further rating and TDIU determinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination regarding the Veteran's low back disability, which may be related to service. The appeal will be returned after further action.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating of pulmonary sarcoidosis, as well as the claim for a psychiatric disorder (depression). The Veteran's low back disorder is also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbosacral strain with radiculopathy is related to an in-service car accident, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and associated left lower extremity radiculopathy are granted with a 40% rating from November 15, 2011.

The Board dismissed the appeals for initial compensable evaluations for bilateral knee scars. For the lumbar spine disability, a rating of 60 percent is granted from March 21, 2014, and all other claims are denied.

The Veteran's appeals for higher evaluations of his cervical spine, left and right upper extremity radiculopathy conditions were dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal. The Board also granted a TDIU effective prior to November 10, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and SMC in excess of the assigned level are being remanded due to need for additional medical examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the severity of the Veteran's low back disability and the relationship between his psychiatric disorder and service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for a clothing allowance for his back brace and pain cream is denied because the Under Secretary for Health did not certify that the braces tend to wear out or tear his clothing in 2012.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected low back disability is remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of records.

The Veteran's right shoulder and hip disabilities are found to be secondary to his service-connected right total knee arthroplasty. The lumbar spine disability is remanded for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder. The lumbar spine disability claim was denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of increased rating for low back disability, service connection for sinusitis, bilateral foot disability, headaches, and hemorrhoids due to additional development being required.