Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back disability, neck disability, and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy due to incomplete VA treatment records. The Veteran should be asked to provide information about his private treatment and any relevant VA records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded in several instances due to insufficient evidence or need for further medical evaluation.

The Board denied initial ratings in excess of 20 percent for bilateral shoulder disabilities, lumbar strain, degenerative disc disease (cervical spine), chondromalacia of the left knee, patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee, and right ankle disability. The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not warrant higher ratings based on limitation of motion.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 20 percent from January 10, 2017 and continuing thereafter. The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent since July 16, 2007.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, effective July 11, 2018. The cervical spine disability remains at a 30 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and need for additional medical opinions. The issues of back disorder, shin splints, pes planus, and a foot disorder other than pes planus are all being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete Reserve service records and lack of evidence regarding the onset of the Veteran's low back disability. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his current low back disability, which he claims was caused by injuries sustained during active duty and/or ACDUTRA.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, Hepatitis B, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), and a back disability due to the need for VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, degenerative joint disease, stenosis, spondylosis, and facet arthropathy. The case is remanded for further examination regarding the Veteran's bilateral foot disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for personality disorder, claimed as passive aggressive personality passive aggressive type, manifested by abuse of drugs is reopened and granted. Other claims are also remanded.

The Veteran's low back pain and peripheral neuropathy are not considered to be caused by VA carelessness, negligence, or error in judgment during the spinal anesthesia procedure on August 31, 2005.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for low back, right hip, and left ankle disorders due to in-service treatment. The Veteran's leg length discrepancy was less than 1.5 inches, which limits the ability to establish a relationship between his knee disorder and other joints.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including shoulder, back, neck, hip, knee, foot, otosclerosis, tinnitus, heart, prostate, thyroid, diabetes, neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and acquired psychiatric disorders. The reasons given are that there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disorder, to include asthma and bronchitis. It also denied increased ratings for left shoulder strain and degenerative joint disease, cervical strain, and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is being remanded for a new examination to address his reports of in-service injuries and continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea and low back condition due to inadequate opinions from previous VA examiners. The Veteran needs new opinions on whether his conditions are related to service or secondary to other disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for hyperlipidemia as it is not a disability in and of itself. The claims for the remaining conditions are remanded due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, SSA records, and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left foot disabilities, as well as a back disability, are granted. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 20 percent effective July 11, 2018.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease is denied.