Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's hypertension is granted a 10 percent rating, and no higher. The Board has remanded the cases for further development regarding thoracolumbar spine disability, left knee disability, right great toe fracture, and TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and rating for various conditions have been denied. The issues of service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development regarding alleged exposure to herbicide agents or other chemicals during his time in Okinawa.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus meeting the criteria for TDIU. The rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral metatarsalgia is denied due to lack of relevant evidence.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disorder and remanded it for further development. The cervical neck sprain evaluation is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left upper extremity radiculopathy and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine due to a lack of recent VA examinations, and requests further development including new examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability, left foot disability, and bilateral eye condition due to potential inconsistencies in treatment records and need for further examination.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records and scheduling new examinations for PTSD and back disability. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation for the entire period on appeal, and his claim for TDIU is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's lower back disability and his in-service injury. A new VA examination is needed.

The Veteran's bladder cancer and right inguinal hernia scar have been granted service connection. The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for lumbar spine spondylosis, left ankle sprain, lung disability (to include tuberculosis), and psoriasis due to inadequate VA opinions.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 40% rating for lumbar strain with osteoarthritis is denied. The Board found that the increase in disability did not occur within one year prior to July 1, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis are being remanded for additional examinations to determine the current severity of his conditions, including whether they affect his cervical spine and right hip. The claims will also be reviewed to ensure all relevant medical records have been considered.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for mechanical low back pain is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a new examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and lumbar spine disorder due to lack of current diagnoses.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and left lower extremity radiculopathy were denied higher ratings, while a 10 percent rating was granted for the right lower extremity radiculopathy. The TDIU claim was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic low back pain, PTSD, and bilateral flat feet was denied. The decision also addressed the initial ratings for PTSD and bilateral flat feet.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to her withdrawal of appeal. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for thoracolumbar strain and reactive airways disease with allergy components are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine disability and cervical spine disability due to inadequate VA examinations, lack of evidence on record, and need for updated treatment records.