Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, as well as increased ratings for lumbar spine DDD, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee pain with mild patellofemoral degenerative changes, left ankle sprain, right ankle sprain, residual scar of hernia operation (right inguinal area), and painful residual scar of hernia operation (left inguinal area).

The Board has granted service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are etiologically related to his active service. The Veteran also received special monthly compensation on the basis of the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and readjudication. The Veteran's claims include service connection for a back disability, an increased rating for PTSD, and TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of her back, left knee, and left ankle disabilities. The current status of her migraine headaches remains unresolved.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for low back pain, diagnosed as lumbar degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis, was granted. The disability is considered to be a direct result of the Veteran's military service without any presumption or secondary relationship.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has a current low back disability and whether it is related to his service. The appeal will be considered again after this examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy is dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbar spine spondylosis prior to March 17, 2016 was granted with a 40 percent rating. Separate ratings of 10 percent were assigned for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy from September 30, 2013 to March 17, 2016. The case is remanded for further action regarding the Veteran's TDIU claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome with strain with degenerative arthritis and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's low back disability, sleep disability, hypertension, and headaches are not service-connected.,Ratings for residuals of cold injury to the left and right lower extremities remain at 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for PTSD, lumbar degenerative disc disease and strain, right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, left thumb ulnar collateral ligament surgery, status post reconstruction/fusion with ankylosis, left thumb sensory neuropathy, and ganglion cyst, left ankle due to outstanding VA medical records from the Little Rock VA Medical Center not being associated with the claims file.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities. The issue of service connection for a cervical spine disorder is remanded due to incomplete development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records from his Army National Guard and Navy Reserve periods of service. The Veteran is asked to provide information about these periods so that VA can obtain any missing records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a low back strain and remanded the issue of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder. The case is now pending further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability and associated bilateral peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities due to new evidence indicating worsening symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine disorder, liver disorder (including hepatitis and cirrhosis), and acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of compliance with previous remand directives regarding obtaining service treatment records. The case is returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including right shoulder injury, low back injury/surgery, eye disabilities, sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, prostate cancer, lumps on back of right shoulder, residuals of sores on back of head, chloracne, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), insomnia, and depression. The remand includes obtaining VA treatment records from the San Antonio VAMC, National Guard or Reserve service records, and clarifying private audiological evaluation results.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of passive range of motion measurements in the previous VA examination. The Veteran needs to be scheduled for a new examination to assess the current severity of his lumbar spondylosis.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability, left lumbar radiculopathy, and PTSD have rendered him unable to maintain gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined impact of these conditions.