Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for headaches and associated neurological manifestations, as well as initial ratings for lumbar radiculopathy. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete examinations in one of the issues. The claims will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to comply with the requirements of Correia v. McDonald.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and potential worsening of symptoms. The Veteran needs a new VA examination for his low back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of TBI or tinnitus, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.,For low back degenerative arthritis, the Board found no evidence of chronic disease in service or within the applicable presumptive period. The Veteran's symptoms are attributed to intercurrent causes and his post-service occupational history.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disorder due to new and material evidence. However, the claim is still pending as further examination is needed.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for nasal polyps, lungs condition (mass on lung), and syncope has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeals.,Service connection is granted for bladder cancer as it is related to herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities due to incomplete records and the need for further examinations.

Service connection is granted for hypertension, gastritis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Service connection remains denied for a lumbar spine disability and right thigh and knee disability.,The Veteran's current diagnoses of hypertension, gastritis, and GERD are considered to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back disability and acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased rating of left leg disability, service connection for back, shoulder, and foot disabilities, as well as hemorrhoids, all secondary to service-connected left leg disability. Additional development is needed including new VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected osteoarthritis and spinal stenosis of the thoracolumbar spine, peripheral neuropathy (PN) RUE from June 26, 2015, and right lower extremity (RLE) lumbar radiculopathy are all rated at 40 percent. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for low back disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, TDIU, and SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status due to inadequate examinations and incomplete development.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete records and procedural errors.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding medical records and a need for an addendum opinion regarding whether any current back disability is related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for a lumbar strain because the new evidence submitted did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board denied service connection for a low back/lumbar spine disorder and denied increased ratings for the Veteran's right knee instability, limitation of motion, left knee instability prior to January 10, 2017, left knee instability after March 1, 2018, and left knee prosthesis after March 1, 2018.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for additional examinations and records to assess the current severity of the Veteran's knee and back disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, including degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine. The evidence shows that the Veteran had complaints and treatment for low back pain during service and continues to have this condition today.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective August 12, 2015. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or incapacitating episodes.