Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's MDD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds this rating to be appropriate given his symptoms of mild depression, occasional difficulty concentrating, and intermittent inability to perform occupational tasks. The Veteran’s TDIU claim has been remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of laceration right foot, intestinal metaplasia and gastritis, lumbar spinal stenosis, and plantar wart have been granted. The issue of service connection for plantar wart is remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to new evidence received after a previous decision. The case will be returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for review.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service records and the need for a new medical opinion. The Veteran's back disability is being reviewed again.

The Board has determined that the effective dates for increased disability ratings of atopic dermatitis, lumbar strain with scoliosis, and bilateral plantar fasciitis should be August 27, 2014.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to lack of a current diagnosis and no in-service incident or injury linked to the condition. The cervical strain and lumbar strain claims were remanded for additional development, including an addendum opinion on the Veteran's reported pain history and lay statements from his commanding officer and fellow soldier. The varicella zoster claim was also remanded for a medical examination to determine if it is at least as likely as not that the in-service varicella zoster condition relates to the current manifestations of the disorder.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for various conditions due to the appellant's representative withdrawing the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent effective May 19, 2008. The claim for service connection for neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities as secondary to his service-connected low back disability is granted.

The Veteran withdrew his service connection claims for a left knee, low back, and sciatic nerve conditions during the May 2018 Board hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar degenerative disc disease is at least as likely as not related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating of PTSD, service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disorders due to lack of updated medical records and unclear etiology.

The Veteran's depressive disorder NOS is currently rated at 70 percent, effective August 29, 2011. The claim for a higher rating remains pending.,For the period on appeal, the Veteran’s chronic lumbar disc disease does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and determination of the etiology of her back and hip disorders, as well as service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional medical review, examination, and opinion regarding her service connection claims. The issues include tonsillitis, left shoulder disability, urinary incontinence, thoracolumbar strain, headaches, right knee disability, and right foot hallux valgus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions. The issues include bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, shin splints, shoulder disorders, frostbite, psychiatric conditions, traumatic brain injury, headaches, wrist, hip, ankle, knee, elbow, little finger, plantar fasciitis, joint pain, back pain, neck pain, erectile dysfunction, sleep apnea, skin disorder, and eye problems.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to service connection for various conditions. The Board has remanded these cases due to the need for further development, including obtaining SSA records.

Service connection for lumbar spine strain is granted. A 10 percent rating is granted for the Veteran’s right ring finger scar from May 6, 2013, and a compensable rating (i.e., a rating higher than 0 percent) prior to that date is denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back condition. The claims for right femur fracture residuals, left ankle condition, and insomnia are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their severity.

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is rated at 10 percent, and his thoracolumbar spine strain with degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board denied higher ratings for both conditions.