Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case for additional examinations and records to determine if a higher rating is warranted for low back strain.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability, left leg injury residuals, and right leg injury residuals. The appeal will be returned after compliance with appellate procedures.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for a low back condition and right knee condition. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's back disorder is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected knee disorders.,The Veteran's left leg disorder (altered sensation, coldness, constant pain) related to service in the Persian Gulf is also remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand four issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for a left achilles tendon/left ankle condition, right shoulder condition, hemorrhoids, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The decision also notes that verification of all periods of Active Duty Training (ACDUTRA) and Inactive Duty Training (INACDUTRA) is needed.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a low back disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's low back condition with IVDS is rated at 40 percent from June 26, 2013. The rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to the low back condition was also granted.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and associated arm radiculopathy were found to not warrant higher ratings, with the exception of a remanded issue regarding right knee service connection. The case was also remanded for individual unemployability determination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to insufficient evidence. The issues of service connection and TDIU remain pending.

The Veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine and related radiculopathies have been granted increased ratings, with some conditions receiving separate ratings.

The Board has remanded the cases due to additional evidence being added to the record. The Veteran is required to provide a waiver for this additional review.

The Board has remanded the claims for low back and right hip disorders due to a lack of adequate medical evidence from the March 2016 VA examination. The Veteran's service records indicate he had an in-service injury, but his statements about pre-existing symptoms are not considered reliable. A new VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is related to the medications prescribed for his service-connected disabilities, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of January 29, 2011 for the award of a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU). The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to this date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as a need for an examination to determine if his current symptoms are related to his time on active duty.

The Board has ordered the Veteran to provide VA treatment records from January 25, 2005 to August 4, 2017. The appeal is being remanded due to this missing information.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder (including schizophrenia), bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, traumatic brain injury with residuals, chronic myositis of the para-cervical and para-lumbar spine muscles, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, absence seizures, hypertensive cardiovascular disease, and diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's service records need to be verified, including any National Guard or Reserve service, and all updated treatment records should be obtained.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and that any current condition is not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for heart disease, an acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and PTSD), bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a right shoulder disorder, a neck disorder, a low back/lumbar spine disorder, dyslipidemia, and erectile dysfunction.,The Board found that there is no evidence of complaints or diagnoses related to the claimed conditions during service. The weight of the competent and probative evidence does not support finding that any current condition had its onset in or is otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's back disability was rated at 10 percent prior to April 16, 2012 and denied for a higher rating. After April 16, 2012, the disability was rated at 20 percent and also denied for a higher rating.