Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder and lumbar spine disorder are now considered service-connected.,The Veteran's right ankle disorder is also now considered service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for service connection on all of his claimed disabilities is being remanded due to the failure to schedule VA examinations and obtain necessary medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for entitlement to an extraschedular rating for lumbosacral strain and a higher rating for his mood disorder, depression, depressive disorder, NOS, and major depressive disorder. The issues have been remanded due to insufficient development of evidence.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection of his back condition. After reviewing all available evidence, including VA medical records, private examination reports, and testimony from the Veteran, the Board finds that the Veteran's back condition is related to his active military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and an initial rating of 10 percent for hypertension, both found to be related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's neck disability and mid/low back disability. The left hip condition issue is remanded due to lack of a diagnosis.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as he has a single service-connected disability rated at 60% and unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and left hip disability (secondary to lumbar spine disability) due to insufficient evidence. A VA examination is required to determine if these disabilities are related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining treatment records from Vet Centers and SSA examination reports. The issues of higher staged initial ratings for PTSD and TDIU prior to February 10, 2014 are inextricably intertwined.

The Board denied service connection for low-back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus as the Veteran's conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.,Service connection was also denied because there is no evidence of a chronic disease or injury during active duty service. The Veteran's current conditions were found to have developed post-service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disorder due to new and material evidence submitted since the last final denial. The case is now remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for his low back disability was denied, and the issue of entitlement to a TDIU prior to April 7, 2010 is being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for a lumbar disability, sinus condition, and allergies due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's recurrent thoracolumbar strain with radiculopathy is caused by her service-connected pyelonephritis with recurrent urinary tract infections, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The effective date for the higher evaluation of DDD of the lumbar spine was not earlier than June 21, 2012.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings on lumbosacral strain and bilateral hearing loss, as well as seeking an earlier effective date for service connection of lumbosacral strain, have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeals.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic lumbar sprain with spondylosis, spondylolisthesis, and disc disease at L4-L5. The Veteran's current low back disability is considered to be etiologically related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral knee replacements and degenerative arthritis, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, and sleep apnea due to incomplete records and need for further medical examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability. The remaining claims of service connection for back and bilateral elbow disorders are remanded.