Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete evidence, specifically missing private medical records related to her migraines and childbirths. The VA will attempt to obtain these records.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to August 24, 2011 and a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for low back syndrome with prominent lumbar lordosis have been dismissed. The TDIU claim is remanded.

The Veteran's low back strain and neck disability are granted service connection, while a compensable rating for his bilateral pes cavus with pes planus is granted effective May 31, 2016.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, increased ratings for thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease and migraine headaches, and an increased rating for PTSD and TBI with dizziness are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence since the last statement of the case.

The Board has granted service connection for a lower back disability and remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of adenocarcinoma of the prostate has been granted. The Board also remanded several issues related to low back and neck conditions, sleep apnea, chest pain, tingling in hands, cold injuries of the feet and hands, skin conditions/rashes, and hearing loss.

The Board has denied service connection for a bilateral hand disability. The appeal regarding bilateral pes planus, headache disability, and low back disability is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome causes him to use his VA-issued back brace, rubbing cream, walking cane, and heating pad. This use of orthopedic appliances collectively wears or tears his clothing, warranting a clothing allowance for the year 2015.

The Veteran's intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spine disorder, left knee disorder, left foot disorder, OSA, and dermatitis are all granted as service-connected. The conditions were presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's current bilateral hip disorder is being remanded for further examination and review of his medical records to determine if it is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected lower back disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for neck and back disabilities, finding that these conditions are attributable to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back and bilateral foot disabilities due to insufficient medical evidence. A VA examination is required to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has denied an initial compensable rating for chronic diarrhea and remanded the issues of service connection for right shoulder, right-hand, and low back disabilities due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability and neck disability have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU. The issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for the low back disability and entitlement to a temporary total rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.30 are remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for a left hip disability and remanded the issue of service connection for a low back disability due to lack of evidence of current disabilities.

The Board has granted an initial 20 percent rating for the appellant's lumbosacral spine disability, effective July 20, 2018. The condition is currently manifested by forward flexion limited to 60 degrees with pain and a combined range of motion of 185 degrees.

The Board has granted service connection for a lower back condition, finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to her fall during active duty. The decision resolves all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% since September 26, 2006. A 40% rating for his back disability is granted from January 26, 2006. Service connection for right and left leg radiculopathy secondary to the service-connected back disability is granted. Service connection for bladder disability and chronic urinary disability secondary to the service-connected back disability is also granted.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and remanded the issue of an initial compensable evaluation for headaches.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for further verification of the Veteran's claims. The Veteran needs to provide copies of his service personnel record, as well as any missing medical records.