Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim is remanded for additional development on several issues, including service connection for various conditions and a separate rating for right hand scars.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of secondary service connection for low back disability and left knee and leg disability. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's spine disability was granted a 20% rating from August 14, 2017 to May 2, 2018. The condition did not meet the criteria for higher ratings at any time.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims and an increased rating claim for left knee arthritis, as well as a TDIU claim due to the need for additional VA and private treatment records.

The Board dismissed all claims due to the Veteran's death, including the reopening of a back disability claim and the psychiatric (PTSD) claim. The right knee disability rating was also dismissed, as well as the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's PTSD and other service-connected conditions have prevented him from securing and maintaining employment since April 2010. The Board has ordered additional development to obtain updated information about his work history, SSA records, and a VA examination for his PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine, right ankle, left shoulder, bilateral hip, bilateral knee, left ankle, ingrown toenail, and headaches. The claims were reopened due to new evidence related to a left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's DJD of the cervical spine and lumbar spine are related to service, and his allergic rhinitis is not found to have preexisted service. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened and is now granted.,Service connection for tinnitus was denied. The Board found no evidence linking the condition to service.

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for a cervical spine disability, increased ratings for lower extremity radiculopathy and lumbar spine disability, and an earlier effective date for the right lower extremity radiculopathy rating. The Veteran is also required to provide updated evidence of his need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for lower lumbar spondylosis with foraminal encroachment upon the existing L4 and L5 nerve roots at L4-L5 and L5-S1 (now claimed as spinal stenosis) has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board denied service connection for a thoracic sprain and remanded the issue of an initial rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran and his representative withdrew their appeals for the issues of service connection for various conditions, including cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, essential hypertension, bilateral renal cysts, prostate disability, high cholesterol, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD).

The Board has remanded the claims due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, and the RO must consider this evidence before readjudicating the cases.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and right lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as his entitlement to a TDIU. The examinations will also determine if there is any new evidence warranting reopening of previously denied claims.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection and increased ratings are inextricably intertwined with other issues, including TDIU. The Veteran's depression is remanded for a new opinion on causation and aggravation. His cervical and lumbar spine conditions, bilateral knee disabilities, and OSA are also remanded for additional examinations to determine etiology and severity.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for back condition due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its onset during service and whether it was aggravated by wearing body armor. Additional development is required.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including arthritis of the lower and upper extremities, cervical spine disability, low back disability, foot pain, glaucoma, and abdominal hernia. The evidence did not show any in-service onset or relationship to active service.,There were no complaints, diagnoses, or treatment records documenting these conditions during service.

The Board denied an extraschedular evaluation for the service-connected lumbar spine disability and a TDIU prior to October 31, 2006. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been rated at 40% since September 23, 2002.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service treatment records and the need for an orthopedic examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's claimed neck and back disabilities.