Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's low back condition and right fractured talus and ankle injury are being remanded for further examination to determine if they are related to service.,The Veteran's right fractured talus and ankle injury is being remanded due to the need for an opinion on whether it was aggravated by service. The issue of urinary incontinence will also be remanded as there is no current evidence of a disability for VA purposes.,Service connection for urinary incontinence is granted.

The Board has denied service connection for a back disability and remanded the issue of increased rating for Bell's palsy.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, lower back disability, and pseudofolliculitis barbae due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is rated at 40 percent effective October 5, 2015. The Board also granted compensable disability evaluations for his sciatic nerve radiculopathy in both legs.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the RO increased his rating for lumbosacral strain to 40 percent effective March 26, 2012. The Veteran was also granted separate ratings for bladder dysfunction, bowel dysfunction, radiculopathy of both lower extremities, and vertigo. His claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder is remanded, and his TDIU claim is denied.

The Board has dismissed the claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for back disability. The issues of service connection for gastrointestinal disorder and undiagnosed illness or MUCMI have been remanded due to lack of current evidence.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The Board found the evidence in equipoise regarding his DJD of the thoracolumbar spine and remanded for further examination to determine its severity, as well as any associated neurological conditions. His TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine, costochondritis, and major depressive disorder disabilities. The Veteran will need to undergo new VA examinations for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the most recent VA examinations for the Veteran's service-connected right hip tendonitis, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and torn medial meniscus, right knee are inadequate. Therefore, the claims must be remanded to obtain new examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to allegations of worsening symptoms and the need for updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as his range of motion does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The application to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for a low back condition is granted. The application to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (diabetes) is denied. Entitlement to service connection for a low back condition is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal disorders, including right arm, back, neck, hip, ankle, and knee conditions. The claims are being returned to VA for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and neck conditions due to a lack of an associated rationale in the private medical opinion, requiring further examination.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and arthritis has been dismissed. The issues of service connection for recurrent right facial laceration scars, brain disorder to include lesions claimed as the result of exposure to Camp Lejeune contaminated water and jet fuel, and a dilated aorta with left ventricle hypertrophy are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for broken right and left feet, as well as a low back disorder (DDD of the lumbar spine L5-S1) are denied. The claim for tinea versicolor is reopened but remains pending.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder (MDD) is also pending.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic lumbar strain is rated at 40 percent effective from February 10, 2016. A separate rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy as a neurological manifestation of the back disability is warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to determine the nature, etiology, and severity of his ankle, knee, back, and lung disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an incomplete medical opinion and new evidence that was not reviewed by the AOJ. The Veteran's low back disability is being reconsidered as it may be related to service.