Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative disc disease, degenerative joint disease, fibromyalgia, bilateral elbow disability, fatigue, hypertension, incontinence, thyroid disease, and migraines. Service connection was granted for menstrual issues.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and upper back/neck disorders due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran needs to provide VA with private treatment records, including those from a chiropractor in California. Additionally, VA must obtain all of the Veteran’s VA treatment records from specific facilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. A 20 percent rating, but no higher, effective November 4, 2010, has been granted for left lower extremity radiculopathy. The increased ratings for left knee disability and bilateral foot disability were denied. An increased rating in excess of 60 percent for a back disability was also denied.

The Veteran's SMC claim is being remanded for additional medical inquiry and readjudication due to the increase in ratings for his elbow disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have diabetes mellitus due to any incident of his active duty service. The claims for sleep apnea and lumbosacral disc disease with left leg sciatica are remanded as additional medical opinions are needed.

The Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea is granted as service connected. The increased disability ratings for Degenerative Disc Disease Lumbar Spine are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral knee condition and back condition are being remanded for further development.,Additional evidence or clarification is needed regarding the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for a hip disorder and xerostomia, and remanded the cases of lumbar spine disorder, left foot disorder, right foot fracture, and TDIU. The Veteran is required to undergo further examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of his claims, including a VA addendum medical opinion regarding TMJ disorder and bruxism.

The Board has granted restoration of a 20 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, effective November 8, 2013. The appeal regarding total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded.

The Veteran's back disability and related radiculopathy are being remanded for further evaluation, while the TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its inextricable link with his back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (degenerative disc disease of L5-S1 and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity) render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU effective June 14, 2010.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of low back pain due to new and material evidence. The acquired psychiatric disorder is granted as secondary to sleep apnea. TDIU is granted based on combined disability rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including PTSD, insomnia, back disorder, left ankle disorder, heart disorder, lower intestinal disorder, and hemorrhoids. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, left tibia stress fracture, hypertension, IBS with fecal leakage status post laparoscopic cholecystectomy, sciatic nerve impairment of the right lower extremity, and sciatic nerve impairment of the left lower extremity have been remanded for further review.

The Board dismissed the appeals concerning entitlement to service connection for a low back condition, right knee and lower leg condition, PTSD, and granted the appeal for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of left and right knee disabilities have been reopened, and he is now entitled to a 20% evaluation for each shoulder disability. Service connection for the lumbar spine disability has not been established.

The Veteran's increased ratings for lumbar spine disorder and tinnitus are denied as the evidence does not show unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine or intervertebral disc syndrome with incapacitating episodes during the past 12 months.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease (DDD) as his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Veteran's right hip disability is rated based on limitation of flexion and external rotation. His low back and neck disabilities are remanded for further development.