Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for increased ratings on multiple conditions, including left shoulder bursitis, thoracolumbar strain, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, hip osteoarthritis, knee patellofemoral syndrome (both knees), ankle post-operative changes, sinusitis, and hiatal hernia with GERD.

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection of a back disability was granted. The Board also remanded the issue of entitlement to an initial disability rating higher than 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current low back disorder is related to service, specifically his exposure to cold weather conditions in Alaska.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.,The Veteran's depressive disorder was granted a 70 percent rating from August 28, 2009 to March 4, 2014. The Board also found that a higher rating is not warranted for this period.

The claims for service connection for low back disability, left foot nerve disability, tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), fibromyalgia, and migraine headaches are all granted.,Service connection is established for these conditions based on the presumption of exposure to Gulf War service.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is being remanded for further examination and development of his claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back disability, finding that his pre-existing condition did not worsen during active duty and thus could not be considered service-connected.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claims for rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, a back condition, Raynaud’s symptoms, and idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura due to new and material evidence. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 20 percent, and no higher. The rating is based on forward flexion limited to 30 degrees.,The Veteran’s degenerative arthritis of the right hand and left hand are each rated at 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy and remanded the issue of a higher evaluation for chronic lumbar strain (back disability).

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has dismissed the appeals due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has remanded two issues: the claim for an increased rating for the service-connected low back disability and the claim for a compensable rating for the service-connected right side carpal tunnel syndrome. The claims are being remanded due to inadequate examinations and the need for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his back injury with degenerative changes within the lumbar spine is being remanded due to concerns about the adequacy of a previous VA examination and the need for additional treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for DJD of the left and right knees, DJD of the lumbar spine, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as depression and insomnia) due to inadequate examination reports and lack of nexus opinions.

The Veteran's cervical spine strain with degenerative spondylosis was denied as not caused by his in-service motor vehicle accident.,An increased rating more than 10 percent from January 26, 2015 and continuing thereafter for the lumbosacral spine disorder was denied due to limited range of motion.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for hypertension and remanded other issues related to service connection. The Veteran's claims are also remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a low back condition, skin condition, and left leg condition (claimed as numbness) were dismissed. The appeal for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was remanded.

The Veteran's service connection for a back disability was reopened. The Board denied temporary total ratings based on hospitalization or convalescence due to his back disability, and did not find that he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.