Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine and bilateral eye disabilities have been granted, but the right hip disability claim is denied. The Board has ordered remands for further examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted as it is related to an in-service injury.,The left leg disability is granted as secondary to the service-connected low back disability.,The acquired psychiatric disability (anxiety disorder) is granted as secondary to a service-connected condition (coronary artery disease).,Service connection for dizziness is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to an in-service event.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and remanded the issues of evaluating iliofemoral nerve entrapment of the left and right lower extremities secondary to inguinal hernia.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability, including as secondary to his service-connected bilateral ankle disabilities. The decision is based on the need for an addendum opinion from a medical professional regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran’s lumbar strain.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining medical opinions regarding service connection for gastrointestinal disability, initial rating for low back disability, higher ratings for paranoid schizophrenia, and TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his low back disability, bowel and bladder conditions, and their relationship to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations to determine the current severity of his back, hip, and right distal fibula disabilities due to inadequate testing during previous examinations.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right index finger disability, back disability, and respiratory disorder have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or link to service.,There is no credible evidence linking the Veteran’s current disabilities to his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for a low back disorder, right ear hearing loss, and malaria. The claim to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence showing the Veteran was seen and prescribed pain medication in June 2009 for back pain and bilateral knee pain. The claims will be adjudicated on a de novo basis.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, effective September 26, 2003.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 40 percent, effective September 26, 2003.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 40 percent, effective September 26, 2003.,The Veteran's right knee disability is not entitled to a higher initial rating than 10 percent.,The Veteran's left knee disability is not entitled to a higher initial rating than 10 percent.,The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis with calcaneal spurs is rated at 50 percent, effective September 26, 2003.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder (claimed as back pain) due to new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent for the period prior to November 2, 2017. After that date, a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed. The appeal for an initial compensable evaluation for headaches prior to July 17, 2017, is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and requests for additional evidence.

The Veteran's disability rating for low back strain has been restored to 20 percent effective May 1, 2015. The matter of a higher rating is remanded due to the possibility of improvement.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for his cervical spine disability, lumbar spine DDD/DJD, and right shoulder impingement syndrome due to lack of medical evidence supporting a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded several issues, including reopening a previously denied claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability and assigning initial ratings for other disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and pulmonary disability. The effective dates of these determinations are November 29, 1991. Service connection for migraines and chronic sinusitis have also been granted with effective dates of the same date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity due to failure to report to a scheduled VA examination.