Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's scoliosis may have existed prior to service and is not related to military service, but additional development is needed to clarify this issue.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for back disability. The remaining claims of secondary service connection for hypertension, eye disability, stomach condition, and sleep apnea are remanded due to lack of a medical opinion addressing these issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for a low back disability and left hip disability due to incomplete records. The Veteran's service connection claim is pending as new evidence may be received, while his secondary service connection claim remains in dispute.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, effective date determinations, and rating decisions. The main issues are seeking clarification on the etiology of left shoulder and elbow disabilities, skin disability, and left wrist disability; determining appropriate effective dates for service connection and ratings; and addressing the service connection for left sciatic nerve impingement and sinusitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lower back disability did not begin during his active service and is unrelated to any in-service injury or event. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity do not render him unemployable for substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's low back disability has worsened since the last VA examination in January 2016, and a remand is necessary to obtain updated medical records and schedule him for a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension, but has remanded the cases of cervical spine disability, low back disability, left hip disability, left knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for chronic rhinitis with recurrent sinusitis is denied. From September 1, 2013, but not before, the Veteran is granted a TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disability. However, the cases of low back disorder and left ankle fracture secondary to right ankle disability are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective May 23, 2017 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left and right ankle disabilities have been granted initial ratings of 20 percent each since December 1, 2010. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has also been granted an initial rating of 40 percent effective October 26, 2015.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, and he is granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with IVDS is currently rated at 20 percent, effective February 5, 2018. This rating remains in effect until further notice.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent from September 9, 2014 to May 27, 2016. The appeal for a higher rating remains pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral wrist pain and low back disorder, as secondary to service-connected seizure disorder. The Veteran's wrists and back conditions are being evaluated again due to new evidence submitted since the last decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the severity of the Veteran's back disability during flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical spine disorder, thoracolumbar spine disorder, prostate cancer, and sarcoidosis with a history of anemia due to additional development being needed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate consideration of the Veteran's lay statements and examination report.