Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative disc disease of the spine and degenerative joint disease of the left wrist are granted. The Board has remanded the cases for further examinations to determine appropriate ratings for right ear hearing loss and acid reflux/gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his low back strain with narrowing of L5-S1 disc space due to inadequate compliance with prior remand directives and the need for additional examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the appellant's current back disability is related to his period of ACDUTRA service, and whether his left leg radiculopathy is caused by or aggravated by his back disability.

The Board has remanded several claims due to the absence of treatment records, including for lumbar spine disability, gastrointestinal disability (claimed as hiatal hernia/GERD), and right knee disability. The Veteran's service-connected conditions are not considered primary causes of his current disabilities.

The claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss and COPD have been reopened, but the Veteran's request to reopen his dental disorder, back disorder, trigger finger condition in both hands, acquired psychiatric disorder (including bipolar disorder, adjustment disorder, impulse disorder, and anxiety), and PTSD claims are being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the development conducted does not adequately comply with the directives of the April 2018 remand. Therefore, the case is being returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left knee disability and lower back disability due to incomplete service treatment records, lack of VA examination, and need for further medical opinions. The Veteran is also seeking Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Veteran's initial rating for his spine disability prior to September 21, 2012 was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. For the period since September 21, 2012, an increased rating of 40 percent is also denied.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine and right ankle disabilities, and therefore remands these matters for further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder due to new and material evidence. However, the case is remanded as there are unresolved issues regarding whether his pre-existing lordosis was aggravated during service.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine spondylosis with multilevel DJD and associated right lower extremity radiculopathy are rated at 20 percent. The Board finds that new VA examinations are needed to assess the current severity of these disabilities.

A rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine from November 10, 2015 to October 29, 2018 is denied.,A rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine on and after October 30, 2018 is denied.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are at least as likely to preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal has been remanded for further evaluation due to unresolved issues regarding service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, adjustment disorder with anxiety, and lumbar strain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), a cerebral vascular accident (stroke) claimed as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a lower back disability due to potential issues with service connection evidence and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has denied service connection for a left foot disability and remanded the issue of service connection for a back disability due to lack of competent evidence of current disability at any time during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to June 20, 2014 and in excess of 20 percent thereafter for back disability, as well as his claim for TDIU due to the need for another VA examination.

The Veteran's initial rating for service-connected lumbosacral spine DDD status-post fusion with scar was granted at a 40 percent disability level, effective from the date of service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition, finding that his injury did not result in a chronic condition and there was no medical evidence linking it to active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and for further development, including obtaining National Guard service records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for low back disability and arthritis of the entire body due to inadequate opinions in the previous VA examinations.