Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has ordered a remand for a new VA examination to assess the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including flare-ups and additional limitations due to pain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip, right knee, and lumbar spine disabilities due to incomplete medical records and the need for additional opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability, including degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether or not the Veteran's current low back disability is related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded five service connection claims and one claim for TDIU due to the need for clarification of service dates, additional examination, and further development. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities may affect his ability to work.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for updated inpatient hospital records. A VA examination is also required.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hip condition, degenerative joint disease of the right knee, lumbar strain, and bilateral plantar fascitis. The issues have been referred back to the VA for further examination and consideration.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for back disability and acquired psychiatric disorder due to inextricability with another issue. The VA will obtain relevant medical records from the University of Tennessee hospital, Jamaica Plain VA facilities, and any other sources provided by the Appellant.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar arthritis and degenerative disc disease. The issues of service connection for left hip disorder, right hip disorder, right leg disorder (radiculopathy), and left leg disorder (radiculopathy) are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and back disability, finding no current diagnosis of a mental disorder or back condition. The TDIU claim was also remanded due to its inextricably intertwined nature with the other issues.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, bilateral knee disorders, right ear hearing loss, and pseudofolliculitis barbae. The conditions are deemed to have originated during active duty.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim and found that he had a current disability related to his service, but denied service connection due to lack of evidence linking it to service or any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, degenerative disc disease with L5-S1 herniated disc and IVDS with back strain (back condition), and left knee strain were denied as the original claim was not filed within one year of a period of service from which he was separated under conditions other than dishonorable.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence. The earlier effective date claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as September 13, 2012, is the appropriate date.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and GERD are being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disorder, as there is insufficient evidence to determine if his current condition is related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination as there were not sufficient compliance with previous instructions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a back disorder and hiatal hernia in March 2013. The Veteran filed a petition to reopen these claims, but new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board has found that the Veteran has received the maximum rating available for his right knee instability, hypertension, and low back arthritis. The Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea is remanded, as well as his claims regarding a higher rating for low back arthritis and scars.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed due to the death of the claimant.

The Veteran's service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. The Veteran's cervical stenosis and lumbar degenerative disc disease are both rated at the maximum disability evaluation of 20 percent prior to April 13, 2017, and 40 percent thereafter.