Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the ranges of motion and additional functional impairment of his low back disability during a flare-up.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his cervical spine disability and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the current 10 percent rating adequately reflects any functional impairment, pain, and weakness caused by his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his back disability and TDIU were denied.,For the entire period of appeal, the Veteran's service-connected right lower extremity neurogenic claudication associated with DDD with lumbar stenosis was found to have mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.

The Board denied entitlement to higher ratings for lumbar spondylosis with degenerative joint disease and right knee plica excision and partial meniscectomy with degenerative joint disease, finding that the schedular criteria adequately described the Veteran's disability picture.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee and low back disorders did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and there was no evidence of a chronic condition. The VA examiners opined that these conditions are less likely related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine and knee disabilities are not service-connected. The evidence does not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's back disability. An addendum opinion is required from an appropriate clinician.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left lower extremity sciatica has been denied as there is no current diagnosis of the claimed disability. The claims for right lower extremity sciatica, low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, severe non-proliferative diabetic neuropathy, and tinnitus have also been remanded due to lack of a statement of the case.

The Board has remanded four issues for further development: service connection for a left big toe disability, service connection for an eye disability (loss of vision), an initial rating for cervical spine degenerative disc disease with IVDS, and TDIU. The Veteran's reports of injuries during active duty are key to these claims.

The Board has denied service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and remanded the issue of service connection for lumbar spine degenerative spondylosis. The Veteran's COPD claim was denied due to lack of a current diagnosis, while his lower back injury claim is being remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's initial claim for a 10 percent rating for his left foot injury has been granted. The Board also remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims and requested additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for various disabilities, including hypertension. The AOJ is instructed to obtain a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension was caused or aggravated by herbicide exposure during service.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar disability (claimed as low back pain, discomfort, and spasms) due to the lack of evidence linking the current condition to military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine strain, right knee instability, and right foot disability are all rated based on their current manifestations.,Service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is remanded as it may be secondary to service-connected lumbar strain.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been found to preclude him from securing and maintaining all forms of substantially gainful employment, thus TDIU is granted.

The Board has remanded the cases due to outstanding VA treatment records and non-VA records that have not been associated with the claims file. The Veteran is asked to provide names and addresses of all medical care providers who have recently treated his spine disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and denied entitlement to a higher rating for the Veteran's low back disability. The appeal was granted in part for a separate 10 percent disability rating for right knee instability effective December 19, 2014.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability and a sinus condition, finding that there was no evidence of chronic disabilities during or within one year after active duty. The medical opinions provided by VA examiners were against the Veteran's assertions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions and a need for additional development regarding service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, as well as compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for hip replacements.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent from May 16, 2011. The Board has remanded the issue for further development.