Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for right knee, left knee, lumbar spine, and bilateral foot disabilities due to potential aggravation by other service-connected conditions.,Specifically, the Veteran's knee and foot disabilities are being reviewed again as they may be aggravated by his pre-existing knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is required for the claims of increased ratings for ventricular arrhythmia and valvular heart disease, lumbar strain and thoracic degenerative disc disease (DDD), and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran will need to undergo new VA examinations to determine their current levels of severity.

The Board has determined that additional development is required for the claims of increased ratings for ventricular arrhythmia and valvular heart disease, lumbar strain and thoracic degenerative disc disease (DDD), and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran will need to undergo new VA examinations to determine their current levels of severity.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity were denied. The Board found that her symptoms did not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inadequate examination reports and other procedural issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder and lumbar spine disability, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since December 19, 2011. The effective date for the award of TDIU is set at December 19, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current low back disability is related to his service. The Veteran served in a property disposal unit and claims he sustained injuries during this time.

The reduction of the 40 percent disability rating to 20 percent for the service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease with stenosis (back disability) was not proper, and the 40 percent rating is restored from February 9, 2011.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, finding that his disorders were aggravated by his service-connected right shoulder disorder. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

This case involves multiple claims for service connection, all denied. The Veteran contends that there was clear and unmistakable error in the September 1993 rating decisions denying his claims for cervical strain, right shoulder impingement syndrome with degenerative arthritis, hypertension with stage 3 chronic kidney disease and renal insufficiency, and degenerative changes of lumbosacral spine. The Board found that there was no CUE in these decisions.,Reasoning: The Veteran's arguments were based on the interpretation of his service treatment records showing injuries sustained during service. However, the Board determined that the RO did not commit CUE as the correct facts were available and correctly applied the laws at the time.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 10 percent prior to April 25, 2018 and denied for a higher rating. The evidence does not support an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation from November 17, 2010, to December 12, 2012. The Board granted TDIU based on the combined impact of multiple joint disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lower back disability, but remanded his right and left knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disorder, low back disorder, left hip disorder, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and right ankle disorder. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims of in-service injury or disease.,There is no credible evidence linking any current disabilities to service.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for service connection of a back disability, as there are no VA treatment records available and the Veteran's STRs cannot be located. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disorder, uterine disorder, psychiatric disorder (including panic disorder, anxiety disorder, and unspecified attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder), insomnia, and fatigue due to inadequate examinations and lack of evidence addressing the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to insufficient information and need for further examination. The Veteran's joint pain, shoulder disorders, back disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder are all being reviewed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a causal relationship between his current condition and his active military service.