Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to insufficient evidence or procedural issues. The appeals regarding the lumbar spine, hearing loss, PTSD, and unemployability are pending further review.

The Veteran's low back disability has been granted an increased rating to 40 percent, but no higher, from March 11, 2015.,The Veteran's right hand carpal tunnel condition is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and further development is needed.

The Veteran's claims for balance problems, increased ratings for chronic lumbar strain and depressive disorder, and TDIU based on service-connected disabilities have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board denied a higher rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, finding that the evidence did not support an evaluation higher than 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability and acquired psychiatric disorder are not service-connected, with the exception of a remanded issue regarding his left toe disability. The claims for increased ratings on right knee disabilities remain pending.

The Veteran's initial rating for major depressive disorder was denied prior to April 10, 2014. A rating of 70 percent but not higher was granted beginning on that date. The ratings for back disability and left foot Achilles tendonitis were remanded.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the relationship between the Veteran's current thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine, right shoulder, and left shoulder disabilities and his military service. The claims for these conditions are being remanded.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy and thoracolumbar spine disability have been granted service connection. The initial rating for the thoracolumbar spine disability has also been granted at a 20 percent level.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine is remanded due to the need for a more current examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to missing VA treatment records from 2004 to present. The Veteran's complete VA treatment records should be obtained.

The claim for service connection of a back disability has been reopened, but the issue remains remanded. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable. His persistent adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood associated with his bilateral hearing loss is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea, as it is unclear whether this condition is related to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.,The Veteran needs to undergo a VA examination to determine if his current sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a right hand fracture, low back disorder, and hypertension. The Veteran failed to report for VA examinations scheduled in March 2018 and offered no good cause.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for asthma, left ankle disability, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, left knee disability and sleep disorder due to lack of a VA examination in relation to these claims.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for dry eye syndrome, lumbosacral strain with sciatica, and traumatic brain injury were denied. The Board found no evidence to support a direct relationship between the claimed conditions and active service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of heat stroke, a bilateral arm disability, and a back disability due to new evidence added to the record. The rating for neck disability is also being remanded because additional VA treatment records are needed. The claim for conversion disorder will be remanded as well.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient medical opinions regarding his pinched nerve in the neck, as well as for increased ratings and TDIU. The Veteran is required to undergo further examinations and provide additional evidence addressing the combined impact of service-connected disabilities on work capacity.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations related to cervical spine, low back, left hip, and psychiatric disabilities are inadequate for decision-making purposes. The Veteran must be provided with addendum opinions addressing whether his current conditions are secondary to or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right hip and back disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings based on the current range of motion findings.