Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has ordered a remand to determine if the Veteran's upper back disability is aggravated by his service-connected lumbosacral strain and/or right elbow arthritis. The VA medical opinion did not address this issue.

The Veteran's right leg/knee, left hip, and lumbar spine disorders are related to his service-connected left knee disorder.,There is no evidence of a current diagnosis of a right hip disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected back, left ankle, and left pectoral muscle disabilities rendered him unemployable prior to December 6, 2016. The Board found that the VA did not properly refer his claim for extraschedular TDIU consideration.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and an earlier effective date for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the current severity of his low back disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of a back disorder, finding no new and material evidence has been submitted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and inadequate efforts to obtain them. The RO must attempt to secure his military treatment records from 2007-2008.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, allergy condition, asthma, lumbar strain and partial discectomy, bilateral hip condition, bilateral knee condition, sleep apnea/sleep disorder, and acquired psychiatric disability is denied. The claims are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability is not established as there was no diagnosis of hearing loss sufficient for VA purposes.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a closed rib fracture was not reopened. The effective date for the lumbar spine disability rating is denied prior to June 23, 2015. A 10 percent rating is granted for the right foot disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's lumbar strain is secondary to her service-connected left pelvic hip stress fracture.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including service connection for various conditions, with some remanded for further examination and development. The initial rating for depression disorder is also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding his claimed conditions and exposure to burn pits during service.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, neck disability, low back disability, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. The evidence supports these findings.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine and LLE radiculopathy have been dismissed. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and increased ratings for her left knee degenerative changes and right knee degenerative joint disease, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or chronicity of symptoms sufficient to establish service connection. The Board also found that the current disabilities did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA's rating schedule.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new evidence submitted by him. The AOJ should review this additional evidence and readjudicate the claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no current disabilities related to the conditions claimed, except for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected left knee strain, lumbar spine strain with arthritis, and lower left radiculopathy. The issues are inextricably intertwined due to their interrelated nature.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 30 percent from August 12, 2008 forward. His lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent throughout the appeal period.