Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to incomplete evidence and a canceled hearing. The claims for bilateral knee degenerative joint disease, degenerative joint disease lumbar spine, right ankle disorder, coronary artery disease (claimed as heart attack and heart problems), and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a sleep disability, hiatal hernia, and PTSD, as well as the evaluation of degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and left leg radiculopathy due to incomplete development.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a back condition, but remanded due to insufficient evidence to determine if it is related to service or secondary to a toe fracture.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claims for lumbosacral spine disorder and bilateral lower extremity disorder, including radiculopathy. The appeals are granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were dismissed as he withdrew them. The claim of entitlement to a TDIU was granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and for further examinations.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for a back disability is granted. The case is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his condition and its relationship to his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for L4-L5 and L5-S1 degenerative disc disease with clinical left lumbar radiculopathy, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and major depression, to include insomnia. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease with herniated disc, lumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent and a higher rating is denied. The Veteran also meets the criteria for a TDIU from July 31, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, lumbar spine injury with subsequent osteoarthritis (curved spine), pinched nerve of the cervical spine, mild degenerative changes in the left leg and knee, and prostate cancer, preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment. As a result, his claim for TDIU is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and sinus arrhythmia due to missing records and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for back condition and PTSD due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete development.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and low back disorder as there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that his current lumbar spondylosis is related to his active military service and establishing a continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and a lower back condition have been granted. The Board found that the evidence supports current disabilities, in-service incurrences of these conditions, and a link between service and these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea, chronic sinusitis with rhinitis, and chronic lumbosacral strain with arthritis. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence, including lack of in-service complaints and treatment records. The Veteran will need to provide updated VA treatment records and undergo a VA examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including her low back disability, bilateral bunions, hypertension, hysterectomy, and migraine headaches. The claims are being remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding her hip, hand, and upper extremity disabilities. The low back disability claim is also being remanded as the VA examination did not include necessary joint testing.