Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for left knee, right shoulder, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disabilities. However, the claims for a right knee disability, sinus condition, and thyroid disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Further examination is needed to determine if these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's bladder disorder and back disability are being remanded for further evaluation as the opinions provided do not adequately address the theories of service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability as secondary to his service-connected left knee condition. The claims for service connection of the left shoulder and neck disabilities are remanded due to new theories of entitlement.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a back disability and an acquired psychiatric disability due to outstanding Social Security Administration (SSA) records that need to be obtained.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and lack of a timely substantive appeal.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted secondary to his service-connected neck disability. A rating of 30 percent for his cervical spine disability is granted throughout the appeal period.

The Board's decision on the Veteran's lumbar spine disability claim is vacated due to lack of awareness by both the Appellant and her representative. The case is remanded for further development, including submission of additional evidence.

The Board has remanded five service connection claims due to inadequate scheduling of a VA examination for the Veteran's low back disorder. The other four issues are also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, and erectile dysfunction. The claims are being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's low back disorder is service connected as lumbosacral degenerative arthritis, which has been attributed to his current diagnosis and in-service treatment for back pain.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board has decided that the issue of TDIU should be remanded due to a grant of TDIU in March 2016, effective from February 26, 2013.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability and denied service connection for left collarbone, right collarbone (clavicle), right knee, lower back, and right ankle disabilities. The head injury claim is also denied.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is currently rated at 20 percent, effective October 8, 2013. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's low back disability was granted service connection, and his cervical spine and bilateral knee disabilities were denied. The sleep apnea was also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability is rated at 60 percent since June 1998, and a combined rating of 70 percent is granted for the period from January 27, 2015 through December 28, 2016. The TDIU determination is effective as of June 16, 2009.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back and hip disability, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and lumbosacral strain, but denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for lumbosacral strain. The claim of service connection for PTSD was reopened due to new evidence showing a diagnosis of PTSD related to a stressor in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial increased rating and earlier effective dates due to the inextricability of these issues with his claim for a lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection, increased rating, and TDIU due to incomplete information and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, peripheral neuropathy and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are all being remanded for further review due to recent developments in his case.