Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder, right knee disability, hypertension, low back disability, and several other conditions. The Board has ordered remand for additional development to ensure the claimant is afforded due process and that new VA examinations are conducted.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to review this case.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his lumbar spine disability.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's left forearm scar, left lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral pes planus, and IBS. The Veteran was also awarded a higher rating for his right shoulder disability and right knee degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's back disability, which manifested as pain and limitation of flexion to at most 55 degrees, warrants a rating of 20 percent.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain. The issues of increased ratings for residuals of crushing injury, right foot, with scar and plantar fasciitis; compensable disability rating for Achilles tendinitis right heel; compensable disability rating for Achilles tendinitis left heel; and total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining relevant medical records and conducting VA examinations.

The Board found no causal connection between the Veteran's in-service heavy lifting and his current back disorder, as there was no evidence of arthritis within one year post-service. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his heart condition, including bicuspid aorta, as well as the severity of his degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine and intervertebral disc syndrome/sciatic nerve involvement of the left lower extremity.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar spine strain is being remanded due to the need for additional VA and private medical records, as well as further consideration of the evidence.

The Veteran's back and neck disabilities have been granted service connection. The initial increased rating for headaches has also been granted, effective May 21, 2014.,Headaches are currently rated at 50% since May 21, 2014, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 8100.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service treatment records and the need for a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back tendinitis and a bilateral hip condition, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for low back tendinitis and concluding that there is not sufficient evidence to establish service connection for the bilateral hip condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not caused by in-service noise exposure, and service connection for this condition is granted. However, the Board found insufficient evidence to establish a link between the Veteran's low back disability and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his lumbar degenerative disc disease and any associated neurological symptoms.

The Veteran's low back disability is now rated at 40%.,The Veteran's LLE radiculopathy is now rated at 40%.,PTSD increased rating claim has been dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine and gout are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and providing new VA examinations.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracolumbar spine and left knee disabilities. Further development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to active duty service.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed, including a VA spine examination and updated treatment records. The Veteran's claim for service connection of his low back disability will be remanded to the AOJ.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right knee disability and determine the nature and etiology of any low back disability. The issues on appeal include entitlement to higher ratings for his right knee disabilities and service connection for a low back disability.