Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions and the need for updated treatment records.

The Veteran's initial ratings for lumbar strain, lower left extremity radiculopathy, left knee strain, and right knee strain are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence for a TDIU determination, and referred it to VA's Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the claims for a back disability, neck disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability due to new evidence received since the September 1996 rating decision. The claims are now pending for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's rating for cervical spine degenerative disc disease was restored to 30 percent effective April 1, 2015.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine and back disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not causally related to his active duty service.

The Board has denied service connection for several conditions, including a right little finger disability, lumbar spine disability, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and residuals of gynecomastia surgery. The case is remanded to obtain further examinations regarding left shoulder disability, acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, and TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip and lumbar spine disabilities, finding that these conditions had their onset many years after service discharge and were not related to service or caused by his service-connected knee and cervical spine disabilities.

The Board has remanded several issues including the timely filing of a notice of disagreement for reducing the rating of the Veteran's back disorder, earlier effective date for TDIU claim, higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss and depressive disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left knee and low back pain, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction, resulted in a combined rating of 40 percent. The Board found that the Veteran met the schedular criteria for TDIU from February 23, 2018 to March 29, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment during the period from January 30, 2008 to August 20, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete hearing transcript and need for additional medical opinions regarding his psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome has been granted service connection. Service connection for fibromyalgia, acid reflux, and other conditions have been denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for low back and right hip conditions due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's current diagnoses are not related to his active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for a lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and left knee disability due to inadequate medical opinions and need for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and lack of a reasoned etiological opinion. The issues will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted. The Board found that the evidence established a current disability, continuity of symptomatology since service, and a nexus between the claimed in-service injury or disease and the current condition.,Service connection has been granted for obstructive sleep apnea as it is related to active service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for his lumbar back scar was denied prior to February 18, 2015. After this date, the Veteran received an increased rating of 10 percent.,From February 18, 2015 onwards, the Veteran's left leg radiculopathy claim remained at a 10 percent evaluation.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between the current disability and military service. The appeal is remanded for further examination regarding service connection for back disability and left leg radiculopathy.