Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a right hip disability, secondary to his service-connected right ankle sprain is denied as there is no evidence of current right hip disability.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for chronic right ankle sprain with degenerative joint disease (DJD) is also denied as the disability does not warrant more than 10 percent evaluation.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability and remanded it for further development. The decision on sleep apnea is also remanded, with additional requirements for an adequate opinion regarding its etiology.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset during active duty or within one year post-service. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical records and undergo an examination.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating and TDIU are remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess his current back disability.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for erectile dysfunction and low back condition due to new evidence not being considered in the previous decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder, lumbar spine disability, and hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

This decision denies the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disorder and a lumbar spine disorder, as well as her request for an increased disability rating for her psychiatric disabilities. The Board found that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.,The Veteran also had her TDIU rating denied, with the Board finding insufficient evidence to meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.,Her non-service-connected disability pension claim was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his back disability and TDIU claim are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his back disability, as well as obtaining any outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating and TDIU related to his back disability is being remanded due to the need for a new examination.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for left foot disability. The remaining issues have been remanded due to lack of medical evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's right shoulder condition is rated at 30 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Prior to July 13, 2013, the Veteran's scoliosis of the lumbar spine was rated at 20 percent. The evidence did not support an increase in this rating.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and readjudication due to incomplete service records.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran has a diagnosable low back or left hip disability, as well as an increase in PTSD prior to February 5, 2016. The VA will also obtain all relevant medical records and schedule examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examinations regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's application to reopen her claim for service connection of a back disorder has been granted. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for a back disorder, requesting additional evidence and an examination.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is rated at 40 percent from June 13, 2016 and granted. The effective date for this rating remains to be determined.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for a service-connected left arm abscess was denied. The RO granted service connection for the condition but assigned a non-compensable rating.,Service connection was also denied for right hand tremors, left hand tremors, squamous cell carcinoma, and migraine headaches.

The Veteran's claims for reopening service connection for fibromyositis, lumbosacral spine with spasm (back condition), left ankle condition, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, chronic rhinitis, esophagitis, and gastritis have been dismissed due to lack of new and material evidence. The issues of service connection for these conditions are remanded.

The Board has remanded both issues for further development and clarification. The Veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine is presumed to have existed prior to service, but it must be determined if this condition was aggravated by service or not. Additionally, the issue of secondary service connection for right leg shooting pain (lumbar radiculopathy) will also be remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence. The issues include service connection for various disabilities, with a focus on secondary service connection.