Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The claim for service connection for a dental disability to include treatment purposes only is remanded.,The issues of service connection for skin, eye, and lumbosacral spine disabilities are remanded due to the need for VA examinations and additional medical records.,The issue of service connection for prostate disability is remanded.,The issues of service connection for hypertension, thyroid disability, and sleep disorder (sleep apnea) are remanded.,The issues of effective date prior to December 12, 1989, for PTSD; initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD; and retroactive VA compensation benefits are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or ankylosis.

The claim of service connection for severe lower back pain, including spinal dislocation and related conditions, is granted. The claims for cervical strain, low back disability, bilateral radiculopathy (lumbar region), bilateral radiculopathy (cervical region), and tension headaches are remanded.

A 40 percent rating for a back disability is granted from February 8, 2011.,A separate 10 percent rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (RLE) is granted since February 8, 2011. A 40 percent rating for RLE radiculopathy is granted from September 25, 2017.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, finding that there was no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or IVDS requiring bed rest.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and for a compensable initial rating for service-connected hypertension due to insufficient evidence in the record, including incomplete service treatment records.

The Board dismissed the appeals for increased evaluations as the appellant's representative requested withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating greater than 20 percent for lumbosacral strain prior to December 20, 2010 and entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected lumbosacral strain. The case is being remanded for further development including obtaining additional medical evidence and arranging for the Veteran to undergo a VA examination.

The Veteran's lumbar spondylosis was found to have a range of motion up to 40 degrees, which is sufficient for the current 20 percent rating. The Board denied an increased disability rating as the evidence did not show that the condition more nearly approximated the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's radiculopathies of the lower extremities are associated with her service-connected lower lumbar degenerative disease. The VA has not provided a neurological-peripheral nerve examination to assess these conditions, and there appear to be outstanding medical records that need to be obtained.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability, COPD, and low back disability. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for PTSD, left leg condition, and lumbar spine condition need further review due to new evidence submitted by the VA. The case is being remanded for a VA examination.

The Veteran is unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, which include right knee replacement with fusion, major depressive disorder, right hip, left hip, and lumbar spine.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbosacral strain disability, finding no evidence linking his current back condition to his active military service.

The Board has dismissed the issues of propriety of the rating reductions for left and right hip snapping syndrome, as well as remanded several other issues including a TDIU claim. The Veteran's representative withdrew his appeals regarding these issues prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Veteran's back disorder is granted service connection and an initial rating of 20 percent for his right shoulder strain is granted. The issue of a higher rating for the right shoulder strain remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability has not resulted in the required symptoms for a higher rating, and thus her claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer, claimed as the result of ionizing radiation exposure is remanded.,The issues of effective dates prior to May 5, 2017, for service connection for lumbosacral strain, right thumb injury residuals with distal interphalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joint arthritis, and left third finger laceration residuals are also remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee and hip disabilities, as well as diverticulitis. The decision was based on a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a new examination of the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.