Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board finds there is new and material evidence to reopen his claims.,Service connection has been granted for left ear hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding service connection for a cervical spine disability, as well as increased evaluations for lumbar disc surgery and hemorrhoids. The Veteran's claims are not yet resolved.

The Veteran's lumbosacral degenerative disc disease and radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities are granted as service-connected.,Service connection for a neck disability is remanded due to lack of sufficient evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a back disability and bilateral knee disability due to insufficient evidence, including lack of VA examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to deficiencies in previous VA examinations and the need for clarification of the Veteran's symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his right knee disability and service connection for his lower back disability are remanded due to inadequate examinations, incomplete medical records, and need for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and new evidence being added to the record.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate rationale in the previous VA examination and requests for new medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disc bulge at L5-S1 has been reopened and granted.,A TDIU rating is granted from November 11, 2013 due to PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is aggravated by his service-connected left ankle disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, carpal tunnel syndrome (left and right arms), and insomnia. The cases are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for a new examination to consider pain on both active and passive motion, in weight-bearing and nonweight-bearing. The RO must also address whether separate compensable ratings should be assigned for right knee instability.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability. The examiner did not consider all relevant facts, including treatment for back pain shortly after service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to missing records and incomplete claims file. The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right leg claim is also remanded for issuance of a Statement of the Case.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbosacral spine disability, including issues related to TDIU prior to September 28, 2015. Additional VA treatment records are needed and the case will be readjudicated.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical strain, degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the cervical spine, and DDD of the lumbar spine. The claims are based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for unspecified depressive disorder is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's current depression is at least as likely as not caused by her in-service diagnosis and symptoms.,Service connection for low back disability, claimed as mild multilevel degenerative changes of the lumbar spine, to include as secondary to service-connected bilateral medial tibial stress syndrome, is remanded. An addendum opinion is needed before the merits can be decided.,The Veteran's service connection claim for cognitive impairment and memory impairment is remanded. The claims are related to her in-service exposure to environmental hazards and her service-connected depressive disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability had limitation of motion for which a 20 percent rating was warranted prior to September 22, 2016. The claim is being remanded due to lack of adequate VA examination findings and need for further development.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this case.

The Veteran's low back disability, including degenerative arthritic changes and IVDS with left superficial peroneal nerve involvement, is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board found that the evidence did not show ankylosis or incapacitating episodes warranting a higher rating under either the Formula for Rating IVDS Based on Incapacitating Episodes or the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.