Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal regarding an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for nonunion of the right scaphoid with arthritis of the right wrist was dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran's representative. The Board also remanded issues related to service connection for a low back disorder and an increased evaluation for anxiety disorder and depression.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, stenosis of the lumbar spine (claimed as back injury), and actinic keratosis (claimed as facial and torso basal cell condition). The claim for bilateral knee condition is still pending. The appeals are remanded due to incomplete records and need for further medical opinions.

The Board has dismissed the claim of service connection for low back condition as the Veteran withdrew his appeal. The TDIU claim was denied because the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for low back condition as the Veteran withdrew his appeal. The TDIU claim was denied because the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and migraine headaches, do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a VA examination to determine if the appellant requires aid and attendance due to her health conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine before a decision was made by the Board.

The Board has remanded the cases of tinnitus, low back disability, right hip condition, and right leg (knee) condition for further development. The Veteran's claims are not about service connection at all in these cases.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for new examinations to evaluate the current nature and severity of the Veteran's service-connected conditions, specifically his ruptured right quad tendon with associated scar and any lumbar spine disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations related to his lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, headaches, and TDIU. The Veteran is also requested to provide updated VA treatment records and employment information.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is related to her service-connected cervical spine disability, and if so, whether it is aggravated by that condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disorder and granted it, finding new evidence supports a link between his in-service injury and current condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbosacral strain, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to a lack of recent VA examinations assessing the current severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating higher than 20 percent for a lower back disability due to insufficient evidence and the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's right hip disorder, including his total joint arthroplasty and osteoarthritis, is found to be caused by or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability.,Degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine is considered as at least as likely as not related to a low back injury during active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that there is no competent evidence linking his current disabilities to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to additional VA medical records being added to the file.

The Board has determined that new VA examinations are necessary to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected left and right knee disorders, cervical spine disorder, and Berger’s disease with renal stones due to the Veteran's contention of worsening symptoms.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's low back disability. A new VA examination is required to diagnose any current low back disabilities and determine their relationship to service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding ratings for left wrist ganglion cyst post-operative, right wrist ganglion cyst, and left ankle fracture. The remaining issues of a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with chondromalacia (left knee disability), a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee chrondromalacia (right knee disability), and a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine degenerative joint disease (DJD) are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is granted as secondary to his service-connected amputation of great, second, and third toes. The left foot scars are rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 7804. The right knee surgical scar is also rated at 10 percent. The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted due to his service-connected disabilities.