Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate for determining service connection for the Veteran's low back condition and psychiatric disorder. The case is therefore being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and peripheral neuropathy of the lower left extremity sciatic nerve were denied as there was no evidence to support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,Service connection has not been established for the claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of a determination on whether new and material evidence was submitted, as well as for additional examinations related to his bilateral knee disability and lumbosacral strain.

The Board has remanded the following issues: increased rating for thoracolumbar strain with intervertebral disc syndrome, initial rating in excess of 10 percent for sciatic nerve impingement of the right lower extremity associated with thoracolumbar strain with intervertebral disc syndrome, increased rating for left knee degenerative arthritis, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability. The RO must consider all evidence received since the last September 2016 statement of the case.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of service treatment records and the need for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back condition, finding that there is no competent evidence linking any disability to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal of the reduction from a 20 percent rating to a 10 percent rating for chronic lumbar strain is denied. The issue of entitlement to a higher rating for chronic lumbar strain remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for additional medical opinions. The issues include right shoulder, low back, left ankle, neck, headaches, cardiac condition (Incomplete Right Bundle Branch Block), bilateral shin splints, muscle pain, joint pain, and left leg conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a back condition, and remanded the claims for increased ratings for bilateral hand trauma residuals.

The Veteran's back brace was not found to cause wear and tear on her clothing, leading to the denial of a clothing allowance for the 2015 calendar year.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, characterized as degenerative disc disease with herniation. The issue of entitlement to a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for a total rating based on individual employability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) from July 20, 1999. The Board finds no clear and unmistakable error in the February 2000 rating decision that assigned this effective date.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine and cervical spine disabilities have been rated at the maximum available rating of 20 percent, with a temporary increase to 100 percent during periods of convalescence. The appeals for higher ratings are denied.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a left ankle disability and remanded other claims due to outstanding VA treatment records, private treatment records from Dr. Shah, and need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current disabilities, specifically his right shoulder, back, neck, left knee, and right knee disabilities. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's left and right shin splints are granted a 10 percent rating, but no higher. The service connection for his low back condition is denied.

The Veteran's lumbar DDD is granted as secondary to his service-connected hallux valgus of the left and right feet. The issues regarding left knee DJD and AC joint arthritis are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include unspecified anxiety disorder, is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a prostate condition, to include prostate cancer, is granted.,Service connection for a sleep condition is denied.,Service connection for a cervical spine disability is denied.,Service connection for a lumbar spine disability is denied.,Service connection for hypertension is denied.,Service connection for rocky mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is denied.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 40 percent, but the Board finds no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis. The Veteran also has separate ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy.,A separate compensable rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy was granted prior to October 27, 2005, as a neurological manifestation of the service-connected lumbosacral strain.,A separate compensable rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy was granted prior to September 13, 2008, as a neurological manifestation of the service-connected lumbosacral strain.