Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, and sleep apnea conditions. The case will be returned for further action.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete service treatment records and insufficient medical opinions regarding her left knee and low back disabilities. Additional development is needed, including a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a right shoulder disability for which service connection may be granted. The Veteran's restless leg syndrome is rated at 10 percent since December 1, 2011.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions regarding his back disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing Social Security records and updated VA/privately held treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to inadequate VA examination reports and evidence of a worsening condition. A new rating decision will be issued after the completion of additional examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and low back disability, finding that the evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation prior to March 27, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new examinations and the securing of outstanding records.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's low back disorder and right leg sciatica are related to service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns regarding the adequacy of previous VA examinations and the need for a new examination that takes into account the Veteran's testimony about an altered gait.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain, bilateral sacroiliitis, and retrolisthesis of the coccyx are currently rated at 20 percent disabling. The rating is maintained as there were no incapacitating episodes requiring bed rest prescribed by a physician.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) lumbar spine was denied as there is no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes within the past year.

The Veteran's low back disability and radiculopathy of the lower extremities have been granted increased ratings, with a 20 percent rating for each condition.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current disabilities of the hands, hips, or low back that are related to service. The VA examiners provided negative nexus opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, effective June 16, 2014. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this condition.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, and his bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 20 percent. The Board has granted a TDIU effective from February 1, 2017.

The Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance was dismissed because the issue had already been decided in favor of the Veteran by a previous Board decision.

The Veteran's disabilities were not service-connected, but he received a combined non-service-connected disability rating of 40%. The claim for accrued benefits is denied as there was no pending claim at the time of his death.