Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities require additional development and remand for further examination and consideration.

The Board has found that the VA examination was inadequate and in need of clarification, specifically regarding whether the Veteran's lumbar spine herniation at L5-S1 with bilateral lower extremity radulopathy clearly and unmistakably existed prior to his period of INACDUTRA service from August 19, 2011 to August 21, 2011, and was not aggravated beyond its natural progression by an in-service injury, event, or illness.

The Board has determined that the remand directives were not substantially complied with and thus another remand is warranted for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's lumbar or lumbosacral spine disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee pain, bilateral ankle pain, low back pain, and insomnia due to outstanding treatment records and a need for medical opinions regarding the nature and origin of his disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for reentrance into the VA vocational rehabilitation and employment program, finding that his service-connected disabilities have not worsened to the extent that he is precluded from performing work duties or that the occupation previously found rehabilitated is unsuitable.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar strain and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, as well as his TDIU claim due to additional development being required. The issues are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy has been granted a 10 percent disability rating, but no higher. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc narrowing C5-6 and C7 with bilateral foraminal compromise and diffuse spondylosis of the cervical spine (neck) is remanded.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with IVDS is rated at 20 percent from July 15, 2014 to May 14, 2019.

The claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and a lumbar spine disorder are being remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a right hip disability, both secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The decision is based on medical opinions that support the aggravation of these disabilities due to the Veteran's service-connected left knee condition.

The Veteran's claim for higher initial disability ratings for a lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the inadequacy of previous VA examinations that did not consider functional limitations during flare-ups. Additional medical records and another VA examination are needed.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar, bilateral hip, and left knee disabilities due to additional development being required.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a lumbar spine disability, right foot disability, allergies, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to her active duty service. The decision found that new and material evidence was not received.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient determination of current arthritis and service connection for a lumbar spine disorder. The Veteran will need further examination and an etiology opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations and incomplete medical records. The issues of service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease, bilateral hip disabilities (including right lower extremity radiculopathy), and obstructive sleep apnea are being reviewed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have produced total occupational impairment, and he is granted TDIU. The appeals for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and diabetes mellitus are dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected. The right ankle and back conditions are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his service-connected lumbar strain was denied. The current rating is 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under the General Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA treatment records. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is being evaluated in light of his service history and any new evidence.

The Board denied service connection for back disability as there was no evidence of a disease or injury during service and the current condition is not related to service.