Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of his back disability was dismissed due to the absence of a controversy. His claim for an increased rating of his PTSD was denied.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for additional records from Social Security Administration (SSA) and clarification on whether the Veteran wants a hearing.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete VA examinations and new treatment records are needed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for low back syndrome as there was no evidence showing it was incurred in or aggravated by service. The new evidence submitted did not provide a different outcome.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for back and left leg disabilities have been reopened. Service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of PTSD is dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a low back disability and a left leg disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for back, neck, and gastrointestinal conditions due to inadequate VA examinations in April 2012. The AOJ is instructed to schedule new VA examinations and obtain relevant treatment records.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and requesting that the Veteran submit a completed TDIU application. The issues of lumbosacral strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and TDIU are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for readjudication.

The Board has determined that there are issues to be resolved and thus, the case is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating on his lower back disability was dismissed. The Board also found that the claims of service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar spine disability due to inadequate examination and incomplete private treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as SSA records.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, traumatic brain injury residuals, thoracolumbar spine disorder, and sinusitis have been granted. The claim for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disorder is denied.

The Veteran's low back, left knee, and bilateral foot calluses disabilities are granted as secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability.,The Veteran's right knee disability is denied due to lack of a current diagnosis.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma secondary to the Veteran's service-connected rhinitis. The claims for left knee disability, cervical spine disability, thoracolumbar back disability, and sciatica are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disability. The cases of the Veteran's lumbar spine, right knee, and asthma disabilities are remanded due to evidence suggesting worsening since the last examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of a back, bilateral hip, and right knee disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability due to incomplete records and insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inconsistencies in the medical evidence regarding the Veteran's back disability and its relation to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence in the previous VA examination report, particularly regarding the Veteran's range of motion and functional impairment.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for lumbar radiculopathy left lower extremity due to additional development being needed, including obtaining a private opinion by Dr. SM.