Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal of his claim for an increased rating for a low back disability is dismissed.,Service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy and right lower extremity radiculopathy are granted.,The issue of service connection for type two diabetes mellitus and the acquired psychiatric condition (previously claimed as bipolar disorder, depression, and cyclothymic disorder) is remanded for additional development.,The issue of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is also remanded.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of a lumbar spine disorder, GERD, and granted an effective date of May 6, 2013 for a 60% rating for Hepatitis C. The claims were otherwise denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and evaluation of the Veteran's low back condition, including whether it is related to service or any other factors.

The Veteran's initial rating for his back disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination. The effective date issue is also being remanded as there was no information in the Statement of the Case regarding this aspect.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability due to new and material evidence received since the last denial in March 1978. The case is now remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA disability benefits records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for new examinations and additional development of medical records.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent since April 28, 2017. The Board found that the condition did not meet criteria for a higher rating based on ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Board has decided that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's back disability is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his thoracolumbar strain was denied, and the TDIU claim was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's lower back disorder, including his in-service injuries and subsequent treatment. The claim will be reconsidered with new medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his low back disability and radiculopathy, left lower extremity are dismissed. The Board grants a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for Traumatic Brain Injury, Lumbar Spine Disability, and Hemorrhoids due to a lack of sufficient medical evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran is required to undergo further examinations to determine if her conditions are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee and low back disorders, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus to service.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder.,The Veteran’s lumbar strain disability remains at a 20% rating, with no changes in the current rating period.,The RO improperly reduced the Veteran's left knee patellofemoral syndrome and postoperative lateral meniscectomy ratings. The original ratings of 30% and 10%, respectively, are restored.,The Veteran’s left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is rated at 20% for the period prior to September 25, 2015, and at 70% thereafter due to major depressive disorder (previously characterized as adjustment disorder with mixed mood).,TDIU is remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine strain with degenerative disc disease was rated at 10 percent prior to October 10, 2013 and upgraded to 20 percent from October 10, 2013 to the present.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings of his back disability and lower extremity radiculopathy was denied. The rating for the back disability remained at 40% prior to September 2, 2015, and decreased to 20% from that date until May 24, 2017. Separate compensable ratings were not assigned for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including cervical spine, lumbar spine, thoracic spine, bilateral hip, left knee, and neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, all secondary to a right knee disability. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbosacral disc bulge, bilateral knee trauma, frostbite of the left hand, and frostbite of the right hand due to a lack of imaging evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the issues of service connection for low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to potential medical opinions needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations. The issues include service connection for various lower extremity conditions, including a lower back disorder, bilateral hip disorders, bilateral foot disorders, and bilateral upper extremity disorders.