Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and need for further medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical and thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease, as well as migraine headaches prior to October 12, 2017 and thereafter, have been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee disorder, lumbar spine disorder and cervical spine disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee meniscus tear.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (bipolar disorder) and denied service connection for a low back disability, left arm burn scars, and right arm burn scars. The acquired psychiatric disorder is found to be aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 10%, 20%, and 40% since December 15, 2011; September 19, 2015; and August 6, 2017 respectively. The Veteran’s sinus tachycardia is currently rated at 30%. Erectile dysfunction associated with the lumbar spine disability remains under review.,The Board has determined that higher ratings are not warranted for the Veteran's lumbar spine or sinus tachycardia disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal regarding the reopening of claims for pes planus, low back disability, peptic ulcer disease, sleep apnea, and ischemic heart disease. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records from the Veteran's chiropractor, specifically a June 2012 lumbar spine x-ray report.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome has been denied as there is no evidence of current disability.,A 40 percent rating, but no higher, for the low back disability was granted. The claim for service connection for chest pain has been reopened.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for plantar fasciitis was reopened, and he is now rated at 20% for his lumbar spine disability. The effective date of the rating increase remains to be determined.

Service connection for DJD of the thoracolumbar spine as secondary to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities is granted.,An effective date earlier than January 30, 2015, for the grant of service connection for bilateral ankle and bilateral knee disorders is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are granted increased ratings to 40 percent each. The Veteran's lumbar spondylosis with facet arthropathy at L3-L4, status-post discectomy is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected low back strain.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, hip and knee conditions, prostate disability, and erectile dysfunction. The claims are being returned for further development and examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations used in the previous denial of service connection for a low back disability. A new examination is required to determine if the Veteran's low back disability is related to her service-connected bilateral patellofemoral syndrome.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, numbness in the left hand, and bilateral hearing loss have been granted. The case is remanded for further development regarding the claim of numbness in the left hand.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, and a right foot disability due to lack of proper notification regarding scheduled VA examinations.

The claim of service connection for acquired psychiatric disability is granted. The issue of service connection for back disability is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbosacral degenerative disc disease is at least as likely as not related to his in-service back injury, and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as he did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU and failed to complete the required VA Form 21-8940, which prevented the Board from assessing his employment status.