Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's hearing loss and lumbar spine disability are rated at 20 percent each, resulting in a combined rating of 70 percent. The Board has granted a total disability rating due to unemployability (TDIU) based on the service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's low back and left knee disabilities have been rated at 10 percent each, but the Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine if higher ratings are warranted.

The Board denied claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, a heart condition including coronary artery disease and/or residual of myocardial infarction, and hypertension. The Veteran's claims were remanded for further development regarding degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and cervical spine.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, resulting in the dismissal of all six issues on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment since December 26, 2001.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to his service-connected lumbar spine and thoracolumbar spine disabilities. The claims are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, a new VA examination, and completing the Veteran’s application for TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, but remanded the claims of hypertension, sinusitis, tinnitus, and a skin rash on the arm due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability and obstructive sleep apnea has been reopened, but both claims are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and earlier effective dates are being remanded due to the need for further development. The TDIU claim is also raised by the record.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including a TDIU claim, a rating increase for uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, and status-post bypass grafts. The issues are inextricably intertwined with each other.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lower back disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to assess the current level of severity of the Veteran's low back disability and to determine if the reduction in evaluation from 40 percent to 20 percent was proper. The propriety of the reduction is also being addressed.

Service connection is granted for lumbar spine bilateral pars defect L5-S1 with spondylolisthesis and degenerative changes. The Veteran's headaches are remanded to determine if they are related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's back condition is granted service connection, but his sinus disability and right shoulder and neck disabilities are denied.

The Veteran's back condition is remanded for further examination and to obtain updated medical records. The issue of an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for his degenerative changes with spondylosis and spondylolisthesis thoracolumbar spine remains on appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that there is no nexus between the current condition and military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a disability of the cervical spine has been reopened. The case is remanded for further evaluation and determination regarding his radiculopathy of the right lower extremity and DDD of the cervical spine.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's claimed back condition clearly and unmistakably pre-existed service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residual of fractured coccyx with residual low back condition is reopened, and the case is remanded to determine the likely cause of his current back disability.