Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has denied a higher initial rating for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain, finding that the evidence does not support a disability rating in excess of 10 percent during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board found no evidence to support a finding that his back or left foot disabilities are related to military service. The Veteran's migraines were rated at 50% since June 2, 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis and lumbar disk bulging and facet degeneration of L4-5, as well as service connection for schizophrenia and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The cases of lumbar spine disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral foot numbness, and bilateral foot strain are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, or back disability.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for ddd of the lumbar spine due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The issue of TDIU is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection claim.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, effective September 14, 2018. The cervical spine disability secondary to the service-connected low back disability is remanded for further review.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the 10 percent evaluation for service-connected right knee degenerative joint disease and remanded the issue of service connection for a back condition.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disability and ischemic heart disease (IHD) due to herbicide exposure are remanded. The VA examiner found no evidence linking the low back disability to service, but acknowledged the Veteran’s testimony about his symptoms since service. For IHD, the AOJ is instructed to verify the Veteran's alleged exposure to herbicides in Thailand and provide a medical opinion on its relationship with service.

The Board has granted service connection for low back and neck disorders. The Veteran's right shoulder, wrists, ankles, feet, gastrointestinal disorder, TBI residuals, and cognitive disorder are being remanded for further examination and analysis.

The Board has granted service connection for facet syndrome of the lumbosacral spine. The issues of service connection for a low back condition other than facet syndrome, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity are remanded.

The claims for low back disability and bilateral tinnitus have been reopened, with the low back disability claim being granted. The hearing loss claim is remanded.,New evidence has been submitted supporting the reopening of the low back disability and bilateral tinnitus claims.

The Veteran's rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine with multilevel disc bulge and compression of the thecal sac was restored to 40 percent effective September 1, 2014. A separate 10 percent rating is granted for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder condition, cervical spine condition, and lumbar spine condition. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to its interdependence with these service connection issues.

The Board has granted service connection for a right hip condition. However, the issues of service connection for low back and bilateral leg pain secondary to the right hip disability are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, a back disorder to include L3 herniated disc, with dried out discs, L4-L5, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy (claimed as 'numbness'). The issues are related to service connection on the merits.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and further examination.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine and granted it as secondary to a service-connected right knee disability. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's back condition is at least as likely as not due to his service-connected right knee injury.

The Board has remanded three issues: right knee disability, low back disability, and the ratings for left knee disability. The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability is found to be aggravated by his right knee and low back disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability and entitlement to TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.