Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the claim for a lumbar spine disability due to insufficient medical opinions and need for further examination.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, left foot plantar fasciitis, and acquired psychiatric disorder (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) are granted. The Board has remanded the cases for additional development related to his chronic fatigue syndrome and restless leg syndrome.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a back disability, including as secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability. The case will be reviewed with an additional VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining a retrospective medical opinion regarding his unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to December 3, 2013.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating and TDIU due to service-connected DDD of the lumbar spine. The AOJ is instructed to arrange for a VA examination, obtain all relevant records, and consider whether staged ratings are appropriate.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obesity, back disorders (including herniated disc at T11-T12), right foot disorder, bilateral leg disorder, sleep apnea, respiratory disorder, and stomach disorder are not service-connected as they do not meet the criteria for service connection under VA laws and regulations.

The Veteran's lumbar disorder, including sacroiliac arthritis, is considered to be due to his service-connected right knee disability and thus granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records from his National Guard service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for an eye disorder and bilateral hearing loss. The remaining issues of service connection for various disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, as his functional impairment does not preclude him from performing sedentary work.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his active duty service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disability, rhinitis, and heart disability due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran must undergo VA examinations to determine if his conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a low back disability, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to new evidence received since the last final denial. The claim for service connection for a heart disability is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is granted at a 70 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran's service connection for Degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the cervical spine is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient medical evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine have been rated at 40% since April 25, 2018. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is not service connected as there is no evidence of a chronic disease during his active duty and the current condition is not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including recurrent headaches, hearing loss, tinnitus, low back pain, knee problems, PTSD, hypertension, heart issues, pulmonary conditions, vision problems, and fatigue. The VA is instructed to obtain all relevant medical records and conduct examinations to determine if these disabilities are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied an extraschedular rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, finding that the symptoms are adequately contemplated by the current 20 percent schedular rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating prior to October 3, 2008 and a rating in excess of 30 percent thereafter for bilateral plantar fasciitis due to incomplete information from Social Security Administration.