Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the appeal is, therefore, REMANDED. The Veteran's back disability and right knee disability are both rated below their current severity.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease, is presumed to have been incurred during service due to chronic symptoms of the condition.

The Board denied an increased rating for bilateral pes planus/plantar fasciitis and a TDIU claim. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability (neck disability), lumbar spine disability (back disability), and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy. The decision also noted that the Veteran's claims for temporary total convalescence ratings for his neck and back disabilities were not granted.,Service connection was denied as there is no evidence linking the current disabilities to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further evaluation due to conflicting opinions on the relationship between his cervical spine disability and service, as well as insufficient range of motion findings in his lumbar spine.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for bilateral calf pain, low back disability, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder secondary to service-connected bilateral pes planus was denied. The appeals are mixed as some issues were granted while others were not.,New evidence has been submitted that supports the reopening of the Veteran’s claims for bilateral calf pain, low back disability, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder secondary to her service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU, as well as his claim for an earlier effective date for CAD. The appeals will be adjudicated together due to the interrelated nature of the issues. Additional medical evidence is needed from VA and private sources to assess the current severity of the service-connected lumbar spine condition and its impact on employment. If a separate rating for any associated neurological abnormalities is warranted, then TDIU may still not be granted based on the schedular criteria. The case will be referred to the Director, Compensation and Pension Service for consideration of an extra-schedular TDIU if applicable.

The Veteran's appeals for left ear injury, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and residual hemorrhoid surgical scars have been dismissed. The Board has granted service connection for skin cancer disability, PTSD, low back disability, and left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy. Service connection for scalp scar is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied in 2009. The Board has reopened the claim for a right hip disability and remanded it, but did not reach the merits of other claims due to lack of evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his degenerative changes of the lumbar spine was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board denied increased ratings for lumbar degenerative disc disease, radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, weakness of the quadriceps muscles, and abdominal weakness.

The Board is remanding the cases for further action, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The Veteran also needs to be notified of his appellate rights on several effective date issues.

The Veteran's spine disability remains in appellate status, and the case is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected DJD of the thoracic spine with lumbosacral strain. The issue of TDIU is also part of this appeal.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction claim is denied as there is no evidence of both loss of erectile power and penile deformity.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for diabetes mellitus is denied due to the absence of insulin, restricted diet, or oral hypoglycemic agent requirements.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction prior to October 31, 2005 is not granted as there is no evidence of a claim filed before that date.,Claims for service connection secondary to existing disabilities are remanded and will be considered in the future.,Claims for increased ratings for right knee arthritis and right knee disability are also remanded.,PTSD rating remains at 50 percent, with claims for higher ratings still pending.,TDIU claim is remanded as there are no specific service-connected disabilities listed.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the lumbar spine and lumbar spine stenosis, finding that the Veteran sustained an in-service injury to his back and has experienced chronic symptoms since then.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, right-hand, and back conditions due to incomplete review of his medical records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder condition and lumbosacral strain due to insufficient evidence, including the need to obtain VA and private medical records.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are found to have had its onset in service and has persisted since, warranting service connection.,Service connection is granted for a low back disability. The etiology of the current back disability was related to injuries sustained during service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been denied. The highest rating of 40 percent has been granted for the lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes.

The Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for his service-connected bilateral knee and back conditions are remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess current severity of the conditions, including any neurological manifestations.