Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability with IVDS is rated at 40 percent prior to November 16, 2018 and denied for a higher rating. From November 16, 2018, the Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic low back condition was granted in March 2019, and the appeal is dismissed as there remains no case or controversy.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as his right upper and lower extremity radiculopathy. The remand includes obtaining additional medical opinions regarding the current level of disability in these conditions, as well as obtaining records from the Veteran’s nursing home.

The Veteran's lower back condition is rated at 20 percent from September 7, 2017.,The Veteran's left leg condition is rated at 10 percent since April 9, 2010.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including left knee, right hip, left hip, left foot, and back disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected thoracolumbar spine intervertebral disc disease with minimal spondylosis is remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and an updated examination.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including left foot, knee, shoulder, cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, and lumbar radiculopathy of the lower extremities. The decision is based on a lack of evidence demonstrating chronic disability or etiology related to service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for tendonitis of the left shoulder and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine have been dismissed due to their death.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine disability, and cervical spine disability. The claim for dental treatment purposes is remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and records review.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for osteoarthritis of the left knee, right knee, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine due to lack of VA examination opinions on etiology.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for his right knee anterior cruciate ligament tear and service connection for his low back disability, including as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. Additional development is needed in both cases.

The Veteran's mood disorder is granted as secondary to service-connected disabilities, but his sleep disorder and hearing loss are not separately service connected. The lower back disability remains at a 20 percent rating, while the hypertension continues at its current 10 percent rating.

Service connection was denied for COPD, genital rash disorder, low back disorder, pituitary tumor disorder, and eye disorder as they were not shown in service or related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, left CTS, right CTS, a thoracolumbar spine disability manifested by arthritis of the lumbar spine, and arthritis of the left knee. The decision found that there was no current diagnosis or evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has granted restoration of a 20 percent rating for the low back disability and remanded issues regarding service connection for bilateral foot skin disability, sinusitis, TMJ, and headaches.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for chest pain, head pain (including headaches), left elbow disability, lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, bilateral shoulder disability, dizziness, and gastrointestinal disability due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations. The Veteran is requested to obtain an addendum opinion with adequate rationale.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as his cervical radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected DDD, L5-S1 and Adjustment Disorder with Anxiety and Depressed Mood are remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claim for lower jaw disability was denied. The claims of depression, bilateral ankle disability, low back disability, and left foot disability were granted.,New evidence received after the last final denial did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to reopen the claim for lower jaw disability.