Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand three separate cases: one for a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine, another for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bursitis of the right hip, and a third for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bursitis of the left hip. Additional examinations are required to assess the Veteran's functional impairments due to pain and limitation of motion.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate examinations and conflicting evidence in the record. The Veteran needs a new examination to assess his PTSD severity, and an aid and attendance/housebound examination is also needed.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, lumbar back condition, tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and heart condition as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service.,Service connection was also denied for high cholesterol and hypertension due to lack of disability for VA purposes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a back disorder and acid reflux disorder due to insufficient evidence in their initial decisions. The cases are now pending for further review with new examinations.

The Veteran's lumbar strain with intervertebral disc syndrome is granted a 20% rating for the period prior to June 26, 2018 and a 40% rating thereafter. The Veteran's trochanteris pain syndrome of the left hip with limitation of flexion is granted a 20% rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar sprain with degenerative joint disease is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and an updated examination.

The Veteran's appeal for reducing his disability rating from 30% to 10% for cervical spine conditions has been withdrawn by the Veteran and his representative.

The Board denied service connection for lower back, right hip, and right knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for obstructive sleep disorder (OSA), back condition, and neck condition due to outstanding treatment records and clarification of opinions from previous VA examiners.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee and right shoulder disabilities, as well as his claim for increased ratings for left knee degenerative joint disease, left shoulder bursitis, and lumbar spine degenerative joint disease. The claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions were granted effective June 1, 2014. However, he did not receive payment for the month of June due to VA regulations requiring that payments begin on the first day of the month following the effective date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current lumbar spine, cervical spine, right hip, left knee, or right knee disability. The Board also found no in-service injury or disease for any of these conditions.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, right knee degenerative joint disease, and lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, have rendered him unemployable. The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual employability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbosacral sprain, right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, hypertension, and a right hip disability due to new evidence submitted by the appellant. The appeals are now pending with appropriate examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's cervical degenerative arthritis is granted as service-connected, with a presumption of service connection due to the one-year post-service period.,The Veteran's PTSD prior to May 14, 2015 is denied as not meeting the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the initial compensable rating for a left knee condition and an increased disability rating for a low back condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for lumbar and thoracic spondylosis and DDD, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for a right foot disability, lumbar spine disability, tinnitus, sleep apnea, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The Veteran did not have any diagnosed conditions related to these disabilities during his periods of active duty.,Service connection was denied as the evidence does not show that any current diagnoses are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine scoliosis, right arm neuropathy, left arm neuropathy, and left leg neuropathy. The PTSD claim is also being remanded due to a lack of proper examination during a flare-up.