Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board is remanding the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination. The Veteran seeks service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, which he believes was caused by parachute jumps during service.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and service.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with depressed mood, compression fracture of the lumbar spine, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity have been rated based on their current manifestations. The TDIU claim has also been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The evidence does not support an increased rating as there is no ankylosis or incapacitating episodes of IVDS.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, psychiatric disorder (anxiety disorder NOS), and respiratory disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service connection was not granted as the preponderance of the evidence showed that the current disabilities were not manifest in service or related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for lumbar strain with scoliosis, a rating in excess of 50 percent for migraines, and a rating in excess of 10 percent from July 1, 2006, in excess of 30 percent from August 15, 2013, in excess of 100 percent from September 28, 2015, in excess of 30 percent from November 1, 2015, and in excess of 20 percent from January 23, 2017, for residuals ACL repair, right knee limitation of extension, and an effective date prior to October 2, 2009, for a rating of 40 percent for lumbar strain with scoliosis has been dismissed.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 10 percent prior to September 9, 2015 and at 40 percent thereafter. The appeal is mixed as some issues were granted (prior to September 9, 2015) and others were denied (after September 9, 2015).

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of a request to reopen a claim regarding left hip and thigh pain. The Board found that new evidence supports reopening these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and requests for additional information. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a back condition is being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lower back and bilateral foot conditions are not service-connected due to inadequate medical evidence. The case is being remanded for further development, including additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability and diabetes mellitus make it impossible for him to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for his lumbar spine disability has been denied. The Board also found that some issues have been remanded, including service connection claims for a bilateral hip condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for appropriate VA examinations to evaluate his service-connected disabilities. The issue of service connection for a cervical spine disorder was previously remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and adjustment disorder, have rendered him unemployable due to physical limitations. The Board has granted TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and examinations. The issues include tinea corporis, diabetes mellitus, lumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, liver condition (including cirrhosis), and Barrett's esophagus.

The Board denied service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability and acute right lumbar radiculopathy, finding that the Veteran's disabilities were not caused or aggravated by his active duty service.

The Veteran's cervical spondylosis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine were rated at 10%, 20%, and 40% respectively, with a temporary total rating for the cervical spine. The appeal is denied as the ratings do not meet the criteria for higher disability evaluations.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease, L5-S1 (lumbar spine disability), is currently rated at 40 percent.,The Veteran's sciatic radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is currently rated at 10 percent.,The Veteran's sciatic radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is currently rated at 10 percent.