Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's back disability was rated at 10 percent prior to May 5, 2018 and granted a 20 percent rating effective May 5, 2018.,A separate 10 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy was granted effective April 23, 2017. The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy received a 20 percent rating effective May 5, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses of lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, spinal spondylosis, and neuroforaminal stenosis are related to his active service.

The claim for service connection of a back disability is granted as new and material evidence has been received. The appeal is remanded to determine the etiology of the Veteran's current back disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's back condition, as his lay assertions of continuity of symptomatology since service were not considered in the April 2013 VA examination.

The Veteran's low back disability is remanded for further examination and consideration of his service connection claim.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and clarification of the Veteran's claims regarding his back condition and acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for low back, right ankle, and hypertension disabilities. The reasons given were that there was no evidence of a chronic condition within one year of separation from service or any nexus to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations, records review, and further analysis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for spondylosis, lumbar spine was denied. The claims for hypertension and hepatitis C are remanded.

Your appeals for service connection have been remanded due to the addition of new VA medical records. Your case will be returned to the RO for initial review and readjudication.

The Veteran's appeals for left ankle, left foot, and frostbite residuals of the bilateral feet conditions have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded cases involving back condition, left knee condition, right ankle condition, and right foot condition (claimed as degenerative joint disease).

The Board has granted a 50% disability rating for bilateral pes planus. The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his claimed left ankle, right ankle, left hip, right knee, and low back disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for osteoarthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is being remanded due to inadequate examination and missing VA treatment records.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for earlier effective dates for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The remaining issues have been REMANDED for further development.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with IVDS is rated at 40 percent, effective September 28, 2016. The appeal for higher ratings was denied.

The Veteran's mood disorder with depression is rated at 70 percent effective as of March 24, 2014. The rating remains unchanged for the entire appeal period.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient examination and missing VA treatment records. The Veteran's lower back disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy need further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board grants a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service-connected low back degenerative disc disease, including his current range of motion and frequency of incapacitating episodes. The VA examiner is requested to provide a comprehensive assessment.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability due to insufficient medical opinions and lack of recent VA treatment records. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.