Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been submitted. The Veteran's lumbar spine strain, spondylosis, and right knee disability are to be evaluated by a VA examiner.

The Board has determined that additional medical examinations are needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, degenerative disc disease lumbar spine, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain with osteoarthritis. The Board has also determined that a remand is necessary for the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to May 9, 2016.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including degenerative joint disease of the right knee, is granted as service-connected. Other conditions are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to determine the etiology of his low back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, and his education and work experience are sufficient to allow him to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability has been granted a rating of 40 percent effective October 15, 2015. The left knee disability is found to be aggravated by the service-connected back disability.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various disabilities, including lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, left and right knee disabilities, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and unspecified depressive disorder. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected lumbar spine condition and bilateral knee conditions are remanded due to inadequate examination reports.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, so the case is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for OSA, increased ratings for lumbosacral disc disease and left knee disabilities due to new evidence and development of records.

Service connection for low back disability is denied. A rating of 70 percent for major depressive disorder is granted, effective December 11, 2015.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, a lumbar spine disability, and a higher rating for acne vulgaris due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board has determined that remand is necessary to address his claim for a higher rating.,The Veteran contends he should have an effective date earlier than September 1, 2014, for dependency benefits. The RO found no evidence of such within one year of notification of the rating action.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip disability, low back disability, and right leg disability due to incomplete development. The case is now before the Board for further review.

The Board has dismissed the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as it was already granted in a previous rating decision. The claim for service connection for a low back disability is denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine spondylosis with facet osteoarthropathy has been rated under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The initial noncompensable rating prior to May 20, 2011 was appropriate.,After May 20, 2011 and prior to October 22, 2014, a disability rating of 10 percent for lumbar spine spondylosis with facet osteoarthropathy has been awarded. The Veteran's forward flexion was greater than 60 degrees or combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine was greater than 120 degrees.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various lower extremity and foot conditions, finding that further development is needed to determine their etiology.

The Board denied service connection for lower/middle back, cervical spine, right shoulder, and left shoulder disorders as the evidence did not show a relationship between these conditions and active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for a lower back disability and allergic rhinitis, but has remanded the issues of service connection for prostate cancer and tension headaches, as well as the issue of a 10 percent disability rating for multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to conflicting medical opinions and need for further examination.