Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, lumbar spine disability, and bilateral hand disabilities are remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for further examinations.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 20 percent prior to June 5, 2017 and at 40 percent from that date. The Veteran's piriformis syndrome of the right lower extremity was granted a 20 percent rating effective June 5, 2017.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a back disability due to incomplete records and the need for an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition has been reopened, and the appeal is granted to this extent. The case is remanded for further development including a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and the need for additional medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and thyroid nodules have been reopened, but both claims are denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss disability, an acquired psychiatric disability, a back disability, Crohn's disease, shin splints, restless leg syndrome, knee disabilities, and foot disabilities have all been denied. The evidence does not support the presence of current disabilities or a causal relationship to military service.

The Veteran's cervical degenerative disc disease and spondylosis is rated at 40 percent, effective August 2018.,An earlier effective date of May 4, 2016 for the grant of service connection for right upper extremity radiculopathy is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, claimed as herniated disc L4-L5, is etiologically related to his service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding his disability ratings for chronic lumbar strain and left thumb fracture as he withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating and effective date determination for his service-connected lumbar spine disorder is being remanded. Additionally, the Veteran's claims for TDIU and SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance are also being referred to VA's Director of Compensation Service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected cervical and lumbosacral spine disabilities, as well as for the VA representative to be provided an opportunity to submit a statement regarding the appeal.

The Veteran's back disability, including degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, was granted a 10 percent rating prior to December 4, 2017. As of December 4, 2017, the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the condition and service or service-connected conditions. The Veteran's claim for lumbar retrolisthesis and arthritis of the cervical spine was also remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.,For lumbar retrolisthesis and arthritis of the cervical spine, the Board found that there is no evidence of injury during service, leading to a denial of these claims.

The Board has restored a 40 percent rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease effective September 1, 2016, as the evidence did not show sustained improvement in Veteran's condition under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Board has reopened the service connection claims for bilateral hip disability, low back disability, and bilateral knee disability. The right shoulder claim is also remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for the Veteran's knee and lumbar spine disabilities were inadequate, and thus remanded to obtain further information regarding the severity of his conditions during flare-ups.

The Veteran was unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities from August 1, 2005 until March 22, 2006.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The issues of service connection for low back strain with radicular symptoms and residuals of a broken nose are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease and right lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.