Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the merits of the Veteran's claims, including Social Security Administration records and VA treatment records. The Veteran should also be scheduled for examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD with TBI, traumatic arthritis, right ankle disability with scar, and other disabilities.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities and their impact on employment.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for hearing loss is granted. An increased rating of 40 percent is granted for lumbosacral spine disability, but the left breast scar remains at a non-compensable rating. The remaining issues are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability, tinnitus, and prostate cancer. The VA needs to obtain additional evidence and provide updated medical opinions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for a combined effects medical opinion regarding his service-connected disabilities prior to July 23, 2014.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and hearing loss, but found new and material evidence to reopen the claim of bilateral hearing loss. The issue of service connection for a back disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence, and requests that VA attempts to obtain any outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability is remanded due to the need for a VA examination that includes joint testing for pain on both active and passive range of motion.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, and service connection for a right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is related to his service in Vietnam, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is remanded for further evaluation due to insufficient information from the previous VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back, right rotator cuff, and sleep disabilities due to outstanding treatment records and SSA records. The Veteran's service-connected right elbow disability claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's low back disability and right leg neurological disability are both rated at 40 percent, granting the requested increased ratings. The TDIU claim based on service-connected disabilities other than bipolar disorder is denied.

The Veteran's right shoulder condition is granted service connection, and he is awarded a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbosacral spine and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbosacral spine and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of left knee disability, service connection for back and right knee disabilities, and a right distal femur fracture. The claims are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is manifested by no more than Level I hearing impairment in both ears, resulting in a noncompensable rating.,Entitlement to service connection for residuals of cervical spine fusion at C4-5 and lumbosacral spine fusion at L4-5, as well as neuropathy of the right leg associated with these conditions, is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease, C5-C6 and residuals of traumatic brain injury due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with bone spurs and acne, but granted service connection for tinnitus. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and neuropathy are remanded.