Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar spondyloarthropathy/facet arthropathy is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and examination reports.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions regarding his throat disorder, right foot injury residuals, skin disorders of the feet, lumbar spine disability, and bilateral knee disabilities.,Specifically, a new examination is needed to determine if the Veteran has any current residuals from his in-service right tonsil abscess and lymphadenopathy. The examiner should also provide an opinion on whether his current right ankle disability had its onset during service or is otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has granted service connection for joint pain, night sweats, hair loss, weight changes, low back, and hysterectomy. The Veteran also received a TDIU determination.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current diagnoses of right knee meniscal tear and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease are related to his service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his left knee and low back disabilities have been denied. The left knee disability is rated 30 percent prior to January 17, 2013 and in excess of 30 percent from March 1, 2014. The left knee subluxation claim has not met the criteria for a higher rating. The low back disability remains at 20 percent.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is not considered to be related to his active service, including as due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's right hip trochanteric bursitis and thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease with lumbar stenosis and radiculopathy are being remanded for further examination to determine if they are related to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service records from qualifying periods of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) were not considered in the previous decision, and therefore remands are required to consider these periods.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his right foot great toe cold injury residuals was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic code.,The Veteran's lumbar spine sacroiliitis with degenerative disc disease (DDD) was also remanded due to insufficient examination during a flare-up.

The Veteran's rating for residuals of a low back strain was restored to 40 percent effective May 1, 2015. The claim for an increased rating remains denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further action due to incomplete or missing statements of the case.

The Board has remanded the claims for right wrist disability, TDIU determination, and reopening of previously denied lumbar spine and left ankle disabilities due to outstanding VA treatment records. The effective date claim remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and a neurological disorder of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and incomplete records. The Veteran will need to provide additional chiropractic treatment records, undergo a psychiatric examination, and have his left shoulder disability evaluated.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of cold injury are found to have aggravated his coronary artery disease, which is granted as secondary. His chronic venous insufficiency is also granted as secondary to his now service-connected coronary artery disease. The Board finds the evidence in equipoise for granting service connection for a back disability as secondary to his service-connected disabilities including coronary artery disease and chronic venous insufficiency.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bursitis and tendonitis, right shoulder was reopened due to new evidence. The claim is granted.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back problems and bilateral hearing loss disability were not reopened as the submitted evidence was cumulative.

The Board has remanded the claim for a lumbar spine disorder due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's service records do not show any complaints or diagnoses of these conditions during his active duty, but he now claims they are related to his military service.

An effective date earlier than March 6, 2013 for a 20% rating for intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) with degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine is denied.,A 20% increased rating for mild degenerative changes to the right knee, status post arthroscopy (right knee disability), and a separate, additional 20% rating for semilunar condition are granted.

The Board denied service connection for right wrist osteoarthritis and L5-S1 degenerative disc disease, both secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee tendonitis. The decision states that no medical evidence supports a link between these conditions and his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disorder is dismissed. The increased rating claim for his upper back muscle strain is denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for an increased rating.