Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The claims of service connection for low back disorder, right knee disorder, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain is rated at 40 percent, and the Board finds no evidence of ankylosis or other conditions warranting a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and the need for a VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder, cervical spine, and lumbar spine conditions due to inadequate VA examinations. Additional records are needed, including service treatment records from motor vehicle accidents in service, and new examinations and opinions are required.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for the Veteran's major depressive disorder with PTSD and alcohol abuse, but granted a TDIU based on his combined disability ratings. The case is being remanded to address the left shoulder condition and cervical spine issue.

The Veteran's appeal regarding an increased evaluation for unspecified mental disorder and major depressive disorder was dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing her appeal. The appeals for increased evaluations of lumbar spine disability, bilateral knee disabilities (left and right) were remanded.

The Board dismissed the issue of Total Disability Rating by Reason of Individual Unemployability (TDIU) as not reasonably raised by the record as part and parcel of the Veteran's claim for increased compensation for lumbar disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his back and right knee disabilities, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to assess the severity of his conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received to reopen the claim of service connection for low back disability. The Veteran's current low back disability is found to be as likely as not related to an injury sustained during active service, leading to a grant of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the severity of his service-connected cervical spine, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.,Service connection claims for left knee disorder, headaches, psychiatric disorder, nausea, and vertigo are also remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar strain and right shoulder tendinitis were found to not warrant a rating in excess of the currently assigned 20 percent ratings. The left shoulder tendinitis was also found to not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that his current condition is proximately due to injuries sustained in service. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the claimant.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU prior to January 28, 2015. The evidence does not reflect some factor that takes his case 'outside the norm' of any other veteran rated at the same level.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral knee disorder, back disorder, and headaches (secondary to PTSD) due to incomplete records and inadequate examination.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection and higher ratings, resulting in the dismissal of all issues.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining his service medical records and considering all relevant evidence. The Veteran's current disabilities are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim due to an inadequate August 2015 medical examination. The case will be returned for a new opinion that addresses all claimed in-service events, including lifting boxes and MVA.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to outstanding VA treatment records and unscannable documents. The cervical spine disability claim is also being remanded for a new opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his psychiatric and low back conditions, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cholesteatoma, right knee disability, left hip disability, left ankle disability, and low back disability all claimed as secondary to a service-connected left knee disability.