Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability and for a TDIU due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for a disorder of the left hand and sleep apnea due to inadequate September 2016 VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for chronic lumbar strain and for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to additional evidentiary development being required.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to failure to obtain substantial compliance with the terms of January 2018 remand instructions, and for a new medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran's service connection claim for hypertension was denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,For lumbar spine DDD, a higher rating than 20% is not warranted due to lack of ankylosis or forward flexion at 30 degrees or less.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus with calcaneal spurs has been reopened and granted. The Board also remanded the claims for service connection for back, right knee, left knee, and bilateral ankle conditions secondary to bilateral pes planus.,Service connection is being remanded for the Veteran's claimed back condition, bilateral ankle condition, and bilateral knee conditions as they are secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus with calcaneal spurs.

The Veteran's initial 20 percent rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and left lower extremity radiculopathy from May 9, 2005 is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and sleep apnea are not service-connected. The case is being remanded to obtain updated medical records, schedule a VA examination for sleep apnea, and determine if there is any connection between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his current conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbosacral strain is remanded due to the inadequacy of the April 2014 VA examiner's opinion and the need for an addendum.

The Board granted service connection for lumbar degenerative arthritis, lumbar stenosis and bilateral radiculopathy. The character of the Veteran’s discharge from March 10, 1948 to October 27, 1951 was determined to be honorable, thus not constituting a bar to VA benefits.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability is granted. The Board also grants the reopening of his claim for service connection for schizoaffective disorder, but remands it for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for lower back, left knee, and right knee conditions due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's request to reopen his service connection claim for a back disorder was granted. The Board also found that the Veteran's current lumbar stenosis is related to active military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder is not related to service or his service-connected left shoulder impairment, and thus denied the claim for secondary service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with spinal stenosis and a left leg disorder, including left knee instability and radiculopathy, are granted. The left leg disorders are secondary to his newly service-connected back disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA treatment records and need for additional examinations. The issues include bilateral foot disability, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, acquired psychiatric disabilities (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety), and a disability manifested as head pain.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient evidence and incomplete evaluations. The issues of increased ratings for radiculopathy of the RLE, LLE, and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his claims through his representative in a July 2019 Appeals Satisfaction Notice.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was denied.,The Veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations for left lower extremity radiculopathy prior to September 19, 2015 and for right lower extremity radiculopathy were both denied.