Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's initial rating of 20 percent for back disability is granted, and service connection for granulomatous disease and emphysema are denied. The issue of service connection for a neck disability secondary to the back disability is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for DJD and DDD of the lumbar spine and PFB due to inadequate opinions from VA examiners in previous examinations. The cases are now pending for further review.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for thoracolumbar spine arthritis and IVDS is remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records, a supplemental statement of the case, and an updated VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives. The Veteran's claims for service connection and payment/reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses are pending.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine (low back disorder) prior to May 27, 2016 was denied. The evidence did not show limitation of forward flexion to 60 degrees or less, a combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine to 120 degrees or less, muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour, or incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 2 weeks during a twelve-month period.,The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for low back disorder (including intervertebral disc syndrome) after May 27, 2016 was denied. The evidence did not show limitation of forward flexion to 30 degrees or less; favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine; or incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least four weeks but less than six weeks during the past 12 months, or an associated neurological disability for which a separate rating has not been previously awarded.,The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for gout was denied. The evidence did not show incapacitating exacerbations occurring three or more times a year or manifesting symptom combinations productive of definite impairment of health objectively supported by examination findings.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied as she failed to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause. The Board found no current diagnoses of keratosis or GERD, thus denying the respective claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed low back disability and related conditions. The Veteran must provide additional medical evidence or obtain releases, and a new opinion is needed on the etiology of his low back disability and its relationship to other disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for tinnitus was denied as the earliest claim for service connection was received on April 28, 2015.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied because there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative joint disease has been rated at 20 percent, the maximum rating available under VA regulations. The Board finds that his disability does not warrant a higher evaluation as it does not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for right and left knee disabilities, as well as the lumbar spine disability. Further VA evaluations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and rating determinations. The Veteran's obesity claim is denied as it is not a disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a lower back disability was granted. However, the claim itself remains denied as there is no evidence showing that his current condition is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of recent VA treatment records and the need for an updated VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's myofascial pain syndrome.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and low back condition rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation for the period on appeal from May 9, 2011 to June 10, 2011. The Board granted entitlement to TDIU for this period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, to include as secondary to service-connected bilateral knee disorder is granted. The claim for a compensable rating for residuals of burn scarring of the left leg is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of a low back disability due to incomplete records and need for an addendum medical opinion.

The Veteran's right shoulder injury residuals, including rotator cuff tendinitis, are granted. The left shoulder disability and weight gain issues remain pending for further evaluation. The lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and neck injury residuals ratings are remanded.

The Veteran's initial rating for right inguinal hernia was denied, and his service connection claims for left shoulder disability, lumbosacral strain, and left ankle disability were not granted. The claim for right thumb disability is pending remand.,Service connection for lumbosacral strain has been established based on continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, low back disorder, and bilateral knee disorder have been granted. A 30% evaluation has also been assigned for the service-connected left ankle injury residuals.

The Board has granted service connection for right ankle instability, left ankle instability, right great toe instability, left great toe instability, and low back dysfunction with limitation of flexion.