Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was previously rated at 20 percent prior to June 27, 2019 and is now denied for any rating in excess of 40 percent starting from that date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, headaches, and persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress have been reopened. The claim for service connection for a low back disability is being remanded for additional development.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches are also being remanded for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee and hip conditions, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any other in-service event. The Board also found that secondary service connection could not be granted as the Veteran did not have a diagnosed condition at issue.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for back and neck disorders due to insufficient medical evidence. The Veteran's testimony will be considered in determining whether his current symptoms are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability, including its onset and relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disorder, right leg disorder, and right knee disorder due to new evidence submitted in July 2014. The claims will be considered as reopening.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is rated at 60 percent, which is the highest available rating under the criteria for intervertebral disc syndrome based on incapacitating episodes. The decision grants this higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and a back disability have been reopened. The Board has ordered remand due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding the relationship between current disabilities and military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his severe back pain and heart condition, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine strain with spondylolisthesis and degenerative changes has been rated at 40 percent since May 20, 2014. The rating is based on functional loss due to limitation of forward flexion to 30 degrees or less.

The Board denied service connection for low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service and is more likely due to natural aging.

The appeal for earlier effective date for grant of service connection for tinnitus is dismissed.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a back disorder, but not for kidney disorder. The claims are denied.

The Veteran's back disability, diagnosed as degenerative changes, is granted service connection. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a sleep disorder and an acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD) are remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder and granted it. The issue of right leg numbness secondary to lumbosacral disc herniation is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board is remanding all issues for additional development and records.,The Veteran's service connection claims are being remanded due to the need for additional records, including military personnel records and service treatment records.,The VA psychiatric examination in January 2018 did not provide a clear opinion on the etiology of the acquired psychiatric disorder. A new examination is needed.,VA lumbar and cervical spine examinations were inadequate and require further evaluation to determine functional impairment due to pain, weakness, fatigue, or incoordination.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 17, 2008 for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is being remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding his last date of employment.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a lumbosacral strain, a cervical strain, right foot metatarsalgia, left foot metatarsalgia, and residuals of an injured ring finger of the left hand. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for lower back condition and remanded it for further development, including a VA examination to determine if service aggravated his pre-existing condition or caused any current disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a back disability due to insufficient medical opinions and need for further examination.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease was granted a rating of 40 percent effective July 17, 2018. A separate 10 percent rating for left knee instability is also granted. The Veteran’s chronic sinusitis does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in obtaining and considering VA treatment records, as well as inadequate prior examinations. The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine condition is considered in determining if he requires aid and attendance.