Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his sciatic neuropathy with lumbar spondylosis and spondylolisthesis, finding that the evidence did not support a rating higher than 40 percent. The claim for increased rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy was remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection and TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection or entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back, right knee, and left knee disabilities did not manifest in service or are unrelated to service. The claims for higher ratings for his shoulder, hip, and toe disabilities have also been denied.

The Board has determined that the claims for increased ratings and service connection are inextricably intertwined with the TDIU claim. Therefore, the TDIU claim is not yet ripe for appellate review and must be deferred pending readjudication of the other remanded claims.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of increased ratings and service connection due to the lack of recent VA examinations and incomplete medical records. The Veteran's left wrist sprain will be remanded for a new examination, while his lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities will have their ratings reconsidered.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lower back disorder and residuals of traumatic brain injury have been reopened, and the Board has granted these claims. The VA will conduct further examinations to determine if there is a link between the conditions and military service.

The Veteran's lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating, as his range of motion is within the limits required for a 20% rating.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to lack of recent medical records and examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a new VA examination, and adjudicating the issues of increased ratings for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and TDIU. The appeal is not about service connection.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine, and sinusitis due to new medical evidence from his relocated VA facility. The Veteran will need to undergo further examinations to determine the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's temporary total disability evaluation for his service-connected low back osteoarthritis is granted until September 1, 2013. The Board finds that the Veteran's convalescence from surgery related to his service-connected condition was going well as of August 2013.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran did not have current disabilities or evidence of in-service injuries, events, or diseases related to these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity sciatica have been granted a rating of 20 percent, effective from the date of claim. The claims for service connection for right and left lower extremity sciatica are also granted.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding no injury or disease in service and that the current condition is not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Appellant's claims for service connection for right-knee disability, left-knee disability (secondary to right-knee), herniated disc lumbar spine (secondary to right-knee), and right-foot disability have been denied as they are not related to active duty or training.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a low back disability.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic lumbar spine disability in service and concluded that the Veteran's current back condition is not related to his military service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied as there is no current disability of hearing loss in the left ear that meets VA criteria.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for back disability is dismissed as moot due to prior service connection already granted in August 1978.