Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar back condition, bronchitis, and PTSD are remanded due to the need for additional evidence and/or examinations.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and right lower extremity sciatic nerve damage were denied increased ratings. The lumbar spine disability was rated at 30 percent prior to February 5, 2016.

The Board denied service connection for a separate low back disability and granted a compensable rating for chronic lumbosacral strain from September 17, 2012 to June 14, 2017. The Veteran's other claims were also addressed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and restoration of a 40 percent rating for lumbar stenosis and L5-S1 disc bulging with nerve root irritation are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records since May 2018 and seeking private medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include back condition, bilateral hearing loss, skin condition (presumed due to Agent Orange exposure), and psychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder. However, the effective date and initial disability rating need to be assigned by the AOJ as this decision affects other claims of DIC, death pension benefits, and accrued benefits.

The Board has remanded the cases for clarification on whether the appellant's National Guard service was federal or state-controlled, and to determine if any additional development is needed.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to incomplete service treatment records and a missing VA audiological examination. The Veteran is asked to provide any additional medical records, especially from her National Guard and Army Reserve service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus type 2, residuals of trauma to right hand, back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, malaria, and residuals of laceration to base of right fifth finger due to insufficient evidence on record.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the appeal is, therefore, REMANDED. The Veteran's low back disability and right knee disability are both remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a back disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The VA is instructed to obtain all pertinent records, conduct additional examinations, and provide new opinions.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, lumbar spine disability, obstructive sleep apnea, high blood pressure, and colon disorder is granted. The claims are subject to the laws and regulations governing monetary awards.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, GERD, and PCT. The back disability is caused or chronically worsened by altered body mechanics resulting from service-connected knee disabilities. GERD is etiologically related to the Veteran's service-connected duodenal ulcer. PCT was as likely as not manifest within one year of the date of last exposure to herbicides.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to her combat service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck condition due to new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the neck condition, as well as the propriety of reducing the ratings for his bilateral knee conditions.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for left hip disability and an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, as these issues were not adequately addressed in previous examinations.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 10 percent prior to July 16, 2014; increased to 20 percent from July 16, 2014 to March 27, 2015; and increased to 40 percent from March 27, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected low back strain is granted. The case is remanded to determine if he should be awarded separate ratings for neurologic impairments and TDIU.

The Veteran's lumbar strain with lumbar DDD and IVDS has been rated as 20 percent disabling. The Board granted a 40 percent rating, subject to the laws and regulations governing the award of monetary benefits.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection for tinnitus, back disability, and bilateral hearing loss.