Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the appeals are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for back, neck, left knee, and left shoulder conditions have been granted. The reduction in the disability rating for TBI from 10 percent to 0 percent was not proper.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for migraine headaches was denied, and service connection for surgical neck scars associated with cervical spine DDD was granted but only up to June 30, 2014. The Veteran’s claim for a higher rating for his stellate scar of the occipital area of the scalp is remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of whether the reduction of the evaluation for lumbar strain, from 20 percent to 10 percent was proper and the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his back disabilities. The remaining issues are being remanded due to the need for a medical examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations of his degenerative disc disease disability was denied. He is currently rated at 20% for the period between February 28, 2014 and March 23, 2019.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and evaluation due to inadequate examinations in July 2015. The Veteran needs new, contemporaneous evaluations of his service-connected right hip and low back disabilities as well as a determination of the severity of his service-connected right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for multiple myeloma, compensation under 38 U.S.C. § § 1151 for left hip replacement and related complications, as well as compensation under 38 U.S.C. § § 1151 for left and right knee DJD and lumbar spine DJD.,The Veteran's claims are remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his service connection claim for multiple myeloma, as well as his claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § § 1151 for hip replacement complications and related joint issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine due to inadequate examination regarding functional loss during flare-ups and repeated use over time.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar strain is at least as likely as not related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his back condition and PTSD, as well as his TDIU claim are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not improved, and the Board has ordered additional VA examinations to assess their current severity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, secondary to her service-connected lumbar spine disability, is granted. The initial rating in excess of 10 percent for her lumbar spine disability prior to October 1, 2013, remains denied.

The Board has withdrawn the Veteran's claim of service connection for defective visual acuity. The claims of service connection for a skin disorder, headaches, and low back disorder (degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine) have been reopened due to new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for headaches as secondary to sinusitis and for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine as related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has not determined whether there is a valid claim for each condition. The evidence received since the final denial does relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate some of the claims (current disability), but does not establish a link between service and any current disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his in-service injury and continuous pain since service.

The Board has granted service connection for left scrotal exploratory surgery (also claimed as groin pain) and remanded the issue of service connection for a back condition.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) as secondary to his service-connected Depressive Disorder, Left Knee Chondromalacia Patella, and Low Back Disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have not met the criteria for a higher rating, and the case is remanded for further evaluation.