Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.,Service connection for psychiatric disabilities, digestive disabilities (diarrhea and constipation), groin pain, and erectile dysfunction is also being remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent for the entire appeal period, and a higher rating is denied.,A TDIU is granted based on service-connected disabilities preventing substantially gainful employment.,Compensable ratings are not assigned for chronic post-traumatic headaches, left shoulder disorder, or lumbar strain with radicular pain and minimal scoliosis. These issues are remanded for further examination and opinion.,Service connection for a left shoulder disorder is remanded due to inadequate rationale in the previous VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, sleep apnea, tinea corporis (skin fungus), and an acquired psychiatric disorder.,The Veteran's claim for service connection was not granted for any of the conditions listed.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for a left knee disability and temporary total ratings based on treatment for the Veteran's knees. The issues are inextricably intertwined with other claims.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The decision found no evidence of current disabilities related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities make it difficult for him to perform activities of daily living, requiring the aid and attendance of another person. The Board finds that he is entitled to SMC based on this need.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder and remanded the claims for prostate cancer, left upper extremity neuropathy, right upper extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy, and right lower extremity neuropathy due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for his chronic headache disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, right knee disorder, left knee disability, and lumbar spine disability due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's lumbar compression fracture was rated at 20 and 40 percent between July 9, 2013 and February 29, 2016. The appeal for a higher rating is denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service injury and experiences of pain since deployment.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and right and left lower extremity sciatica. Service connection is also granted for depression as secondary to a lumbar spine disability, but erectile dysfunction remains unresolved due to lack of VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claim for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's low back strain disability, including during flare-ups and when used repeatedly over time.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim and granted service connection for Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine, finding that it is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right ankle condition.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 10% prior to September 28, 2017 and increased to 20% beginning September 28, 2017. The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is currently rated at 10%, while his left lower extremity radiculopathy has been rated as non-compensable prior to April 19, 2016 and 10% thereafter.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 10% prior to September 28, 2017. Beginning September 28, 2017, the Veteran is entitled to a rating of 20%. The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity has been rated as 10%, while his left lower extremity radiculopathy was non-compensable prior to April 19, 2016 and now rated at 10%.

The Veteran's endometriosis is granted a 50% rating, and her right knee condition and unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress are denied service connection. The lower back condition remains denied.

The Board has denied service connection for neck, right shoulder, low back, and right foot disabilities as there is no evidence of a chronic disability related to service or the period immediately following service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), due to incomplete records and lack of corroborated stressors. The Veteran is required to provide additional details about her in-service stressors and obtain updated VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of back and right knee disabilities, and his claims for these conditions are denied. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and sleep apnea are remanded to allow for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder disability, lumbar spine disability, obstructive sleep apnea, fibromyalgia, and migraine headaches are not supported by the evidence of record. The appeals are therefore remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.,An effective date earlier than July 1, 2014 for TBI and June 9, 2014 for tinnitus cannot be granted as there are no prior unadjudicated formal or informal claims.