Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's multiple service-connected conditions, including his adjustment disorder and various musculoskeletal issues, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. His combined rating is at the maximum level.

The Board has remanded the claims for left hand, right hand, low back, left leg, right leg, bilateral hearing loss, COPD, sleep apnea, residuals of head trauma, and headache disorder as well as the psychiatric disorders. The VA will obtain all outstanding VA treatment records and provide a VA psychiatric examination to determine if any current psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent for the entire appeal period, with functional loss equivalent to limited range of motion of forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine of 30 degrees or less.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including PTSD, DM due to herbicide exposure in Thailand, low back condition, HTN secondary to DM, and OSA. The claims are being remanded for further development of evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The appeals for the claims of service connection for degenerative arthritis of bilateral hips, knees, elbows, feet, hands, and shoulders have been dismissed. The claim of service connection for a low back disorder has been reopened but is still pending as it was remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for substance abuse, secondary to PTSD and increased rating for service connected PTSD. The Veteran's appeal for a 10 percent rating for his left thumb scar from November 4, 2009 to September 28, 2015 was granted.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his service connection claim for a right knee condition has been denied. The Board has also remanded the issues of higher evaluations for lumbar spine DDD, bilateral lower extremity sciatica, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for myofascial low back pain is remanded due to the need for additional examination and records.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of left foot navicular stress fractures is granted. The claims for increased ratings for bilateral patellofemoral syndrome, minimal lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and disc bulge L4-5, right hip disability, residuals of a left hip stress fracture, bilateral lower extremity plantar nerve mixed neuropathy, fibromyalgia, left foot hallux valgus, status post bunionectomy and osteotomy, and right foot hallux valgus, status post bunionectomy and osteotomy are all remanded.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids and low back conditions are found to be related to service.,The Veteran's left leg radiculopathy is found to be related to his service-connected low back condition.,The Veteran's chronic sinus condition is found to have had its onset during service.,There is no evidence linking the Veteran's current left arm/elbow condition to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the appellant's back disability and its relation to his service. Additional records are needed, including those from Naval Hospital at Camp Pendleton in 2003 and all of the appellant’s service treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's spondylolysis with spondylolisthesis at the L5 and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine first manifested during service, was aggravated by service, and is therefore service connected.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the issues of service connection for lumbosacral spine DDD, cervical spine DDD, and cervical radiculopathy. The Veteran's claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to provide a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that there are outstanding medical records and a need for further examination to determine the relationship between the Veteran's disabilities and her service. The claims are being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, lumbar sprain (low back condition), left lower extremity nerve condition, and right lower extremity nerve condition. Service connection was granted for tinnitus.,Service connection was not established for the claimed conditions due to lack of current diagnoses or evidence of functional impairment.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions. The current evaluations for his service-connected disabilities remain unchanged.

Service connection for a right knee disability, right shoulder disability, tinnitus, and lumbar spine disability is granted.,A rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a compensable rating for hemorrhoids. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his knees and back, as well as the issue of left leg radiculopathy related to his spine disability, are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the merits has been dismissed due to his death.