Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her DDD with IVDS was denied. Separate ratings of 10% each were granted for radiculopathy in both lower extremities as of February 6, 2015. A TDIU was granted effective July 13, 2016. The issue of an earlier effective date for the TDIU is still pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding his lower back pain since service. A new VA examination is needed to determine if the current degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is related to in-service complaints or subsequent work-related injuries.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU for his left shoulder disability on a schedular basis effective July 2, 2019. He also received a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to that date, excluding the period of temporary total rating for the left shoulder labral tear from May 6, 2010 to July 31, 2010.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal, including the reduction of her rating from 40 percent to 20 percent for low back strain effective September 12, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back conditions and a need for updated VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence regarding the Veteran's low back pain, including private medical records from Oklahoma City and Houston.

The Board has determined that new examinations are needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to a lack of recent VA or private treatment records, as well as potential flare-ups. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to assess the current severity of her disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbar strain and recurrent rhinitis and sinusitis status post nasal septal surgery are remanded for further evaluation. Service connection for left eye disability and right eye disability is also remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability should be remanded due to inadequate VA examination and new evidence received.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate or speculative opinions in his VA examination reports. The Veteran is seeking service connection for neck, back, right shoulder, right knee, stomach, and hypertension disorders.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,The Board has denied a higher rating for migraine headaches prior to November 18, 2016 and since then.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient consideration of certain medical records and examination reports in previous decisions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and remanded it for further development. The issue is now before the RO again.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions (sleep apnea, PTSD, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes, residuals of left ankle fracture, hypertension, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and erectile dysfunction) cause damage to his clothing due to the use of prescribed braces. The Board granted a clothing allowance for the 2015 calendar year based on this evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral ankle, low back, and knee disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his service-connected pes planus disability. As a result, these claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's claims for left ankle, right knee, and bilateral foot disabilities have been reopened. The claim for lumbosacral strain has been granted.,Service connection is denied for the left ankle disability as there is no evidence of a current condition or chronic impairment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and an acquired psychiatric disability due to insufficient information in the record. The Veteran was not provided with a VA examination to assess his claimed disabilities, and additional development is needed.

The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability and service connection for his left ankle disorder were both denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting either claim.

The Board has remanded the cases of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability and meralgia paresthetica due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The case is now returned for additional medical opinions addressing whether the Veteran's service-connected left foot and knee disabilities caused or aggravated his claimed conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for a skin disorder, pseudofolliculitis barbae. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression), left foot disorder, and low back disorder are remanded.