Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that an effective date earlier than October 21, 2008, for service connection is denied. The Veteran's claims are remanded for further development and examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for a higher rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The remand requires further development, including scheduling an examination to assess the current severity of the lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for right medial epicondylitis and mild degenerative changes of the lumbosacral spine due to a lack of recent VA examinations. The claim for a 10 percent rating based on multiple, noncompensable service-connected disabilities is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, but did not find it material or sufficient to reopen the claims.

The Board has granted service connection for a degenerative neck condition and a degenerative back condition, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not caused by his active military service.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis C was granted with an effective date of November 17, 2011. The Board has reopened the previously denied claim and assigned a 20 percent rating for hepatitis C.

The Veteran's post-traumatic degenerative arthropathy of the thoracic spine is granted a 10 percent rating for the period prior to July 8, 2015. For the period beginning July 8, 2015, his disability remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's lumbar strain. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to determine if his current lower back pain is related to service.

The Veteran's rating for degeneration of the lumbar intervertebral discs was reduced from 60 to 20 percent, but this reduction was improper due to lack of actual improvement in his disability level. The court ordered restoration of the prior 60 percent rating.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar strain as the evidence did not support a finding that it had its onset in active service or was otherwise related to active service.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease and bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the evidence did not support a causal link to service.,There was no credible evidence linking the current conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current low back disability is related to her service. The VA needs to obtain a new opinion from an examiner.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a sleep disorder, as well as his increased rating claims for low back and bilateral knee disabilities. The claims are being remanded to allow for further development including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling new examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and other benefits due to inadequate examinations, in particular regarding his lumbosacral strain and associated radiculopathy. The case is also remanded for further development related to TDIU, specially adapted housing, special home adaptation grant, and helpless child benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, diagnosed as lumbar segmental dysfunction with radiculopathy and neuropathy. The appeal is pending on remand regarding the Veteran's left heel disorder.,Service connection was denied for bilateral pes planus due to lack of evidence showing permanent aggravation by service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for lumbar strain due to new evidence. The Veteran's current diagnosis is degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease, which she contends is related to a 2003 vehicular accident during service. However, the VA examiner found no reliable evidence linking her current disability to service. The Board denied the claim of service connection for lumbar strain. For the migraine cephalgia issue, the Veteran's increased rating claim was remanded due to inadequate examination report.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for lateral collateral ligament sprain of the left ankle is denied. An initial 40 percent evaluation has been granted for lumbosacral spine spondylosis.,Issues regarding service connection for right shoulder, right ankle, and left foot disorders are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and right leg numbness, as these issues are intertwined. The Veteran's back disabilities need to be evaluated with an addendum opinion that discusses their onset during active service or their relation to any in-service disease, event, or injury.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for lower back disorder, left wrist CTS, and right wrist CTS. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a nexus between the current disabilities and active service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left shoulder, left knee, and low back disabilities. The diagnoses include lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis, patellofemoral syndrome and strain in the left knee, and supraspinatus tendinosis and posterior labral tear in the left shoulder.