Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's low back disability was initially rated as noncompensable prior to August 11, 2017. From that date, he is now rated at 10 percent for the entire period on appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen any of these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's degenerative disc disease is related to her service, specifically her period of INACDUTRA. The VA needs to obtain and review all relevant records, including entrance examinations for periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his service, as well as the aggravation of a congenital condition by service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bunions, psychiatric disorders, and other disabilities, have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of any of these conditions or a link to service.

The claim for service connection for edentulism was denied due to lack of evidence showing it is a condition subject to compensation.,The claim for service connection for low back disability has been reopened, but the issue remains pending as further examination and review are needed.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and incomplete record, particularly regarding the Veteran's lumbar degenerative joint disease (DJD).

The Veteran's surgical scar on the lumbar spine is granted a 10 percent rating for the entire appeal period, effective October 25, 2017. The request for an earlier effective date of October 25, 2017 is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral spine strain and bilateral osteoarthritis of the knees. The right leg disability, other than right knee osteoarthritis, is remanded for further examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination in addressing the Veteran's contentions about his lower back condition.

The Veteran's skin disorders, headaches, and sleep apnea are not service-connected. The cervical and lumbar spine disabilities remain under consideration as the Board finds remand necessary to obtain more specific opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and bilateral hip disability, finding that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration disability claim records. The low back disability case requires a VA medical opinion to determine if the extra lumbar vertebra is a congenital disease or defect, and whether it was aggravated during service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing service treatment records and personnel files, which may contain relevant information about his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's back disability is currently rated at 20 percent prior to April 11, 2017. The Board determined that a higher rating was not warranted as the evidence did not show forward flexion of the cervical or thoracolumbar spine less than 30 degrees or favorable ankylosis.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss increased rating claim is remanded to obtain relevant treatment records and provide a new examination.,The Veteran's right fifth finger disability claim requires clarification due to the lack of an opinion on the etiology of his symptoms.,A VA examination is necessary for the left upper, right upper, and left lower extremities to determine if any current complaints are related to service.,The Veteran's psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety, and depression) claim requires a new examination and opinion due to inconsistencies in his reports and lack of support from STRs.,The Veteran's gastroesophageal disability (GERD), lumbar spine disability, and shifted pelvis claims require the retrieval of relevant VA treatment records and clarification on sources of treatment for these disabilities.,,

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims of service connection for a respiratory disability, cervical spine disability, low back disability, and gastrointestinal disability are remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a lumbar spine disability due to new evidence and need for clarification on the relationship between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder and a low back disorder, to include as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability, is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic thoracic/lumbar pain with mild degenerative disease of the thoracic and lumbar spine, and service connection for scars are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.