Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a right elbow disorder and right upper extremity neuropathy are remanded.,The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for various conditions, including right wrist sprain, lumbar strain, hip trochanteric bursitis, ankle sprains, and headaches, are also remanded.

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection for a back disability was denied in September 1971, and the decision is final. The Veteran filed another claim on May 1, 2007, which led to an effective date of May 1, 2007.,The Veteran's spondylolysis of the lumbar spine disability has been rated at 40 percent since May 1, 2007. The appeal is denied as there is no indication that the condition warrants a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the cases due to issues with the May 2010 rating decision, including needing a retrospective opinion on the range of motion for the lower back disability and its impact on TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for a pilonidal cyst. The claims for low back condition, hypertension, and acne are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for a left total left hip replacement was denied as new and material evidence had not been received.,The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for degenerative disc disease with spinal stenosis (L4-L5) and neuro-foraminal stenosis (L5-S1) was denied as new and material evidence had not been received.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied due to lack of a link between the condition and military service.,Service connection for hypertension was denied due to lack of a link between the condition and military service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for low back strain with degenerative joint disease and TDIU were denied due to his failure to appear for scheduled VA examinations without showing good cause.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for PTSD and an initial rating for a low back disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral pes planus, a back disability, and a right shoulder disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The Board found that there was no current diagnosis of any of these conditions.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for residuals of an injury to the cervical spine, residuals of an injury to the lumbar spine, asthenopia, and increased rating for chronic headache. The claims are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome and associated right lower extremity sciatica have been granted initial ratings of 40 percent each, effective from February 20, 2017. The service connection for a right leg disability has been remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, left leg condition, arthritis, and low back condition. The cases are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection of a low back disability due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and missing records. The Veteran's back disorder is being examined again, and a psychiatric examination will be conducted with consideration of all reported stressors.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 40 percent, but the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.,The Veteran's PTSD and other service-connected conditions combine to preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his intervertebral disc syndrome, lumbosacral strain, and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine were denied as they did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and incomplete evidence, requiring further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial rating for lumbar strain due to incomplete development. The right foot condition claim is also remanded as the VA opinion did not reflect substantial compliance with the remand directive.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine, lumbosacral, and bilateral shoulder disabilities. The claim for a compensable evaluation for sinusitis is remanded.