Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's skin disability, left little finger limitation of motion, right hand disability, and back disability are under review.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and a dental disability, finding no evidence of a relationship between her current disabilities and her military service.,The Veteran also sought TDIU based on her service-connected conditions. The Board found that she did not have any service-connected disabilities, thus denying her claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disability and right knee patellofemoral syndrome due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding service connection, as well as a need for updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his back disability and right knee disability are being remanded due to the need for new VA medical examinations. The issue of a higher initial rating for arthritis of both knees is not currently on appeal.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability rating is restored to 20 percent effective December 1, 2012. The claim for a higher rating for the thoracic spine disability remains pending and requires further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder derangement, left knee arthritis, and right knee arthritis due to inadequate examination reports. The case is now pending with a new VA examination.

The Veteran's headaches are granted service connection as secondary to his mood disorder. His lightheadedness is not a separate diagnosis but rather a symptom of the medication he takes for his mood disorder. An initial 40 percent rating is granted for his lumbar spine degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits were granted effective August 12, 1999, due to his service-connected low back disability and emotional disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar DDD and DJD, as well as right lower extremity radiculopathy, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for back and left knee disorders, right ear hearing loss, heart disability, hypertension, and scars have been denied. The Veteran was granted TDIU.,Service connection for depressive disorder has been established with an effective date prior to April 29, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including a VA spine examination and opinion. The issues are reopening service connection for chronic back condition and determining TDIU eligibility.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back pain, PTSD, and evaluations in excess of 10 percent and 30 percent for allergic rhinitis and headaches with dizziness, respectively. The Board found that there was no current diagnosis of a low back disability or PTSD, and that the Veteran did not have a current disability related to his allergic rhinitis or headaches with dizziness.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical records and an inadequate examination. The Veteran's back disorder is presumed to have existed prior to service, but further investigation is needed to determine if it was aggravated by service or related to any event during service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for traumatic brain injury, cataracts, dental disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, hearing loss, right leg/thigh disability, left leg disability, left hip disability, left knee disability, and removal of the right ovary have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal to reopen her claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) has been granted.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with history of right sciatica was reduced from a 20 percent rating to a 10 percent rating effective February 1, 2014. The Board found the reduction improper and restored the 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's chronic mechanical low back syndrome with degenerative joint disease, degenerative disc disease and right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted as service-connected. A 20% disability rating for the right ankle fracture with shortening of the right lower extremity remains in effect.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current right ear hearing loss, pes planus (flat feet), or sleep apnea that is related to service.,The Veteran's flat feet were noted at entry into service and remained asymptomatic throughout his career. The VA examiner found no evidence of aggravation during service.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for lumbar spine disability due to insufficient medical evidence. The Veteran's assertions about in-service onset and post-service self-treatment are considered, but a new VA examination is needed to determine if his current condition is related to military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for low back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to outstanding VA treatment records and potential worker's compensation records. The Veteran is also required to undergo a medical examination to determine if his hearing loss or tinnitus are related to service.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn, and the claims for lumbosacral strain, left hip trochanteric bursitis with limited and painful abduction prior to May 19, 2017, left hip trochanteric bursitis with limited flexion, a left calf condition, and a left thigh muscle condition have been dismissed.