Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease and associated herniated discs and radiculopathy, finding that the evidence is in equipoise regarding these conditions.

The Veteran became unable to work due to his service-connected disabilities on September 15, 2012. His TDIU was granted effective from that date.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and evaluations to determine appropriate disability ratings for his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling an orthopedic examination and addressing issues related to severance of service connection and reduction of rating.

The Board has granted service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, secondary to the service-connected spine disability. The issue of tissue damage of the lumbar spine region is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for cervical DDD, multiple joint arthritis (right shoulder and bilateral knees), left knee replacement, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and hammer toe as the evidence did not show these conditions began during a period of active duty or training.

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection claims for various disabilities, as well as a TDIU claim and an earlier effective date claim for the award of service connection for coronary artery disease. The appellant is required to provide updated VA treatment records and identify any outstanding private treatment records.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations of his service-connected cervical spine, left knee, and ankle disabilities have been dismissed. The appeal for PTSD with ADHD has also been dismissed. However, the Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded.

The Board has determined that the VA examination report is inadequate and requires a remand for an additional VA opinion to determine if the Veteran's lower back disability is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for the residuals of ovarian cyst removal has been denied. The Board has also remanded her claims for lower back, hip, knee, foot, and ankle disorders due to lack of sufficient medical evidence on record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations due to incomplete records, including a lack of information on SSA disability benefits. The Veteran is also required to undergo new VA examinations to assess his current level of severity for his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection and increased ratings for various knee conditions, lumbar spine disability, chronic headaches, and sleep disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The claims for reopening of the hip, low back, and leg disorders were granted but only as to their reopening status.,The neurological disorder affecting bilateral lower extremities and right shoulder disorder are both remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examinations and evaluations to determine the current severity of his service-connected conditions, including PTSD, migraine headaches, right hip disability, ventricular arrhythmia, and tinnitus. The effective date for service connection remains January 24, 2013.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various knee, shoulder, back, and ankle disabilities have been granted. However, the Board has found that additional evidence is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations. The TDIU claim will also be adjudicated.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of a low back disorder was denied. His claims for secondary service connection of a right hip disorder and an increased evaluation for left hip osteochondritis were also denied.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for low back pain and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board denied service connection for lumbosacral degenerative joint disease, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, respiratory disability and acquired psychiatric disability (specifically depressive disorder). The decision found that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his active service.