Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to the need for additional examinations and evidence submission.

The Board denied service connection for left knee disorder and restored a 30% rating for limitation of right knee extension. The Board also remanded issues regarding back disorder, left hip disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was rated at 40 percent prior to July 16, 2012. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support a TDIU for periods prior to September 1, 2013.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a low back disorder and PTSD, as well as his TDIU claim due to incomplete records and need for further examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to recent treatment records and additional evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and bilateral hearing loss. The claims for service connection for low back, right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities are remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus and coronary artery disease have been granted service connection. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied due to lack of in-service onset or continuity of symptomatology. The skin disorder claim remains pending as no VA examiner has provided an opinion on its etiology. Service connection for hypertension is also pending, with the issue being whether it is related to herbicide exposure. Low back and knee disorders are still under consideration.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to inextricably intertwined issues.

The Board has remanded several issues, including the timeliness of an appeal for a disability rating for chronic lumbar strain and the initial ratings for radiculopathy. The Veteran's radiculopathy is also being examined again due to recent testimony suggesting increased severity.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining STRs for his Army Reserves service and an addendum medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for her lumbar spine and headache disabilities, as well as her claim for TDIU, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has denied service connection for a low back disability and remanded the claims of service connection for basal skin cancer and actinic keratosis due to exposure during military service. The Veteran is required to provide updated VA records, confirm his exposures in service, and undergo a dermatological examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for low back strain is remanded due to the need to obtain additional private treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed low back disability, including service treatment records and a VA examination.

The Board has denied service connection for cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities, finding no link to active service. The right shoulder disability is remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection are not granted.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including Social Security Administration (SSA) records, private treatment records, employment records, and an examination of his service-connected disabilities. The case is being remanded for these purposes.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and denied the reopening of claims for service connection for degenerative changes of the left knee and right knee. The claim for service connection for the lumbar spine is supported by new evidence, while the claims for knees are not.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the existence and etiology of a lower back disorder, including whether it began during active service or is related to an incident of service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder strain and chronic lumbar strain, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to her military service.,Both the left shoulder strain and chronic lumbar strain were found not to be related to service.