Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to lack of permanent and total disability.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability is not found to be the cause of his left hip condition. The Board finds no evidence supporting a higher rating for the Veteran's back disability.

The Board is remanding the case to determine if new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability. The other issues are not addressed due to an unresolved issue regarding whether the Veteran filed a timely Form 9.

The Veteran's lower back disorder needs to be reassessed due to recent worsening symptoms. A new VA examination is required to determine the current severity of his service-connected condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for left and right knee conditions, as well as a low back strain. The appeal is remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability, including degenerative disc disease and arthritis, is at least as likely as not related to his in-service injuries. As a result, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims regarding his cervical and thoracolumbar spine conditions, as well as his gastrointestinal disorder. Specifically, VA examinations are required to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spondylosis, lumbar spine levoscoliosis, and bilateral pes planus due to lack of recent VA examinations and incomplete medical records. The Veteran is also being asked to provide information about her employability.

Service connection for degenerative disease of the lumbar spine is granted. Service connection for osteoporosis, digestive disability (GERD), and memory loss are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for low back, neck, left hip, and right knee conditions due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran's STRs were lost, and further search did not yield any results. The case is being returned to the RO for additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's disabilities were permanently aggravated by his service-connected right leg deep vein thrombosis and left leg deep vein thrombosis. Additional examinations are needed.

The Board has remanded the claims for low back, right knee, and left ankle disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran's initial ratings will be readjudicated after new evaluations are provided.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is rated at 40 percent since January 23, 2014. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to lack of unfavorable ankylosis or other criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee and thoracolumbar spine strain are remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that the preponderance of evidence is against the Veteran's claim and that the only competent medical evidence does not link his current condition to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability and TDIU are remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected condition, as well as further development of his TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his foot and back disabilities, as well as his claim for a TDIU. Additional examinations are needed to assess the current severity of these conditions, and all relevant records must be obtained.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher disability rating for low back strain with degenerative joint disease, as his flexion remained above 30 degrees throughout the appeal period. For TDIU, the combined rating of 60% from service-connected disabilities met the threshold criteria but the Veteran was deemed unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are incomplete due to unclear dates of his active duty and National Guard/Reserve service, missing service treatment records, and outstanding VA and private treatment records. The claims will be remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that new VA examinations are needed to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected left shoulder and low back disabilities, as well as obtaining updated treatment records. The claims for increased ratings will be remanded.