Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to his PTSD and other conditions, leading the Board to grant a TDIU effective September 19, 2014.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and a hip disability as there was no evidence of current disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right hand disability, low back disability, and neck disability. The claim for increased rating for arthritis, left ankle residuals is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for thoracolumbar spine disability, right knee disability, chronic respiratory disability, and chronic sleep disability due to unresolved medical questions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial compensable ratings for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee, and migraine headaches have been granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to insufficient examination reports and need for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine condition, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection of left knee disorder, right knee disorder, low back disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), bilateral pes planus, and asthma. The Veteran's claim is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his cervical spine degenerative disc disease is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected ankylosing spondylosis of the lumbar spine is rated at 50 percent for the entire period on appeal, effective from March 20, 2012.

The Board denied service connection for a right elbow condition and remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for dorsolumbar myositis and residuals of right knee injury, status post arthroscopy.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and incomplete medical records, requiring further evaluation of the Veteran's low back disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the issues of right elbow condition and lower back condition are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions. The bilateral knee condition issue is also remanded.

The Board has found that the Veteran's statements regarding an in-service injury are competent and credible. However, the VA examiner did not provide a sufficient opinion on the etiology of his current disability. The case is therefore remanded for another examination to determine if there is any link between the Veteran's current condition and service.

The Board has dismissed all issues related to increased ratings and service connection due to the Veteran's withdrawal of her appeals. The issue of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a VA examination to assess the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, as he testified that his condition had increased in severity since his last examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current back condition is related to his service, specifically a motor vehicle accident during active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for radiculopathy of the lower extremities, earlier effective dates for service connection for radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and TDIU due to incomplete development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a cervical or lumbar spine disability that is incurred in, due to or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these disabilities.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's back disability is related to his service-connected bilateral pes planus, but needs further clarification and evidence.