Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher evaluation of his lumbar spine disability is denied. A 10 percent evaluation, but no higher, is granted for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity beginning July 20, 2018.

The claim of service connection for a back disability is reopened due to new and material evidence, but the issue is remanded as there are outstanding private treatment records and an additional VA examination is needed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and reduction of the initial rating are being remanded due to need for new VA examinations.,The Veteran is seeking SMC based on loss of use of upper and lower extremities, which requires a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service connection for CMT and secondary service connection for a back disability to include as secondary to CMT are granted. The claims for left ankle, right ankle, left foot, and right foot disabilities to include as secondary to CMT, and service connection for IHD and HTN to include as secondary to CMT are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his lumbar spine disability is remanded due to inadequate examination. The case remains before the Board regarding the RO’s actions and jurisdiction.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for low back disability, radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, right hip disability, and left knee disability due to insufficient information regarding their onset in service or relation to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased evaluations for various service-connected disabilities due to new evidence received since the last adjudication.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, and residuals of a right foot injury. The issues regarding initial evaluations for DJD/OA of the left knee and DDD of the spine are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease, but denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the cases due to missing VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims for service connection are not addressed in this decision.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease with foraminal narrowing of the cervical spine and associated left upper extremity radiculopathy, finding that these conditions are causally related to the Veteran's periods of active duty service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for a recurrent low back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, heart disorders, hypertension, and hypothyroidism. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and thus grants his claim for total disability rating based upon individual unemployability.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disorders, headache disorder, right ear hearing loss, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with IVDS (rhegulopathy), left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left ear hearing loss have all been denied. The Board found no current disabilities related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability has been reopened and granted, with an initial evaluation of 70 percent effective August 4, 2011.,Service connection for head injury with headaches was denied as new and material evidence did not relate the condition to active duty service.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a back disability, right shoulder disability, left knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss due to new and material evidence. The claim for service connection for anxiety is denied as there is no separate diagnosis from PTSD. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is also denied because it did not manifest within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected, and the issue of an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his lumbar spine disability remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and type II diabetes mellitus, but reopened the claim for a low back disability.,For type II diabetes mellitus, the Veteran's assertions regarding exposure to herbicide agents were not supported by evidence. The Board found no direct or presumptive service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disorder and right knee disorder due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran is also being asked to provide his vocational rehabilitation records.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability is remanded due to the need for updated medical records and a VA examination.