Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, specifically regarding the assessment of flare-ups and their impact on the Veteran's low back disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine as secondary to his service-connected knee disabilities has been granted. The cases for a higher rating for left knee disability and postoperative residuals, left medial meniscectomy with internal derangement and anterior instability are remanded. The TDIU issue is also remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is being remanded for an updated VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of his condition.,The issue of service connection for peripheral radiculopathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities is being remanded due to inadequate previous VA examination results.,An additional medical opinion is needed regarding the etiology of the Veteran's major depressive disorder, as well as whether it is aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine disability.,The issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is being remanded because there is evidence suggesting a link to military service or a service-connected disability.,A VA examination in conjunction with this claim is needed due to the Veteran's cervical spine disability possibly having been caused by his active service.,The Veteran's skin disability is being remanded for an additional VA examination and opinion regarding its etiology, given conflicting evidence from different medical professionals.,Service connection for high blood pressure is being remanded because it has not yet been adjudicated due to pending SSA benefits determination.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities are being remanded as well.,Service connection for hypercholesterolemia is being remanded, with a request for additional evidence from Social Security Administration (SSA) regarding disability benefits.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of VA examinations and incomplete records. The Veteran is to be scheduled for appropriate VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and left knee arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are most likely due to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error and will need to provide a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current back disorder is related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a migraine headache disability, lumbar spine disability, and right hip disability are remanded. The Veteran's skin disorder claim is also remanded.,A VA examination will be conducted to determine the current status of the Veteran’s lumbar spine and right hip disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.,The Board also denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) and a bilateral foot disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the issues of right foot drop, left foot drop, low back condition, and depression are still pending as they were not fully adjudicated in the original decision. The Board finds that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for a back disability was granted. Service connection for a back disability, as secondary to knee and ankle disabilities, is also granted. The Veteran's facial injury, including sinusitis, is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating of his now service-connected cervical spine disorder is no longer before the Board. The TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a VA examination addressing the combined effects and impairment resulting from his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for lower back, right shoulder, left shoulder, right foot, and left foot disabilities due to missing records and need for further examination.

The Board denied service connection for low back, left hip, and right hip disabilities as secondary to service-connected bilateral knee disability due to lack of a current diagnosis.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain with spondylosis and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine have been rated at 20 percent each since October 1, 2009. The Board has found that these ratings are not appropriate due to functional impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in total occupational and social impairment due to persistent suicidal ideation.,Affording the Veteran the benefit of doubt, his obstructive sleep apnea was caused by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's skin rash and low back disability are remanded for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the nature of her conditions and their relationship to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is denied. Claims for effective dates prior to February 9, 2017, for increased ratings for stroke residual and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy are also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current hip or knee disabilities, and therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied. For his lumbar spine and left ankle disabilities, additional evidence is needed to determine if they are related to service.