Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbar disc disease was denied as the disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's rating schedule.

The Board has remanded the claims for a new VA examination and to obtain additional records, as well as to reopen the claim for service connection for a back disorder. The hearing loss claim is also remanded due to lack of recent VA treatment records. The wrist injury claim requires an increased evaluation based on functional impairment during flare-ups.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of sufficient severity to preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment beginning April 7, 2012. TDIU is granted as of that date.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased ratings for knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to determine the nature, etiology, and severity of his back disability and bilateral knee conditions.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for a lumbar spine injury due to clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the September 1963 RO rating decision. The claimant argued that there was CUE because the prior decision did not consider his pre-existing condition underwent in-service aggravation, but the Board found no basis for finding CUE within the original decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new evidence and updated treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine arthritis and chronic diarrhea are remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the current severity of his conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder disability and back condition, finding no current disabilities related to in-service injuries.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his active service.

The Board has found that the evidence is insufficient to decide these claims and further evidentiary development is needed before decisions can be reached on the merits. This includes obtaining private medical records, scheduling VA examinations for right shoulder disorder, low back disorder, bilateral foot disorders, and prostate cancer, and verifying periods of service.

The Veteran's appeal was granted for entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU), and the other issues were denied or not addressed.

The Board has denied service connection for various disabilities, including left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD). The case is being remanded to obtain an opinion regarding the relationship between PTSD and in-service harassment.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability may have worsened since the last VA examination in July 2015, and a new examination is needed to determine its current severity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lower back disability, including degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, is related to a motor vehicle accident during active duty for training in August 1999. As such, service connection is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic low back disability, hemorrhoids, and TMJ disorder. The Veteran's disabilities are found to be related to his active military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations. The issues include determining if his lumbar spine disorder, sleep disorder, and erectile dysfunction are related to his military service or secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's back disability is granted at 40 percent since January 24, 2008. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and erectile dysfunction, as well as rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee arthritis.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various shoulder and spine disorders due to potential issues with causation and aggravation, as well as a need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for sacroiliitis, arthritis and disc degeneration of the lumbar spine, arthritis and disc degeneration of the cervical spine, right hip arthritis, and left hip arthritis as these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for cervical spine disabilities prior to February 1, 2016 and from February 1, 2016, as well as for a lumbar spine disability. The reasons are that VA provided new examinations but did not attempt to elicit information regarding the severity, frequency, and duration of flare-ups.