Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical and lumbar spine disabilities due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran will need to undergo new VA examinations to determine the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for lumbar spine, right knee, and bilateral hip disabilities due to a service-connected left foot disability. The Veteran's claims are not granted as there is no indication of an intent to claim service connection prior to September 10, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and failure to address urinary symptoms. The Veteran's lumbar spondylosis is currently rated at 40 percent, effective June 14, 2011.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction are now service-connected. The effective dates for these benefits are April 26, 2017. The Veteran is not in need of regular aid and attendance for his spouse to qualify for SMC.

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a low back disability is granted. The appeal is granted only in this regard, with the other issues being remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar myositis is currently rated at 20 percent, effective December 2011. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating as his range of motion did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for sinusitis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hip disability and back disability due to insufficient development of evidence, including obtaining VA treatment records and private medical records. The addendum opinions must address whether the Veteran's conditions are related to service, including presumed exposure to herbicide agents or combat duties.

The Board has remanded the claim for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis due to insufficient evidence showing that the Veteran is unemployable by reason of his service-connected disabilities. The case will be referred to VA's Director of Compensation Service for further consideration.

The appeal is being remanded due to the failure of VA to obtain and associate with the record private treatment records from Dr. King, despite obtaining other relevant records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but further development is needed due to the need for VA examinations and medical opinions regarding his lumbar spine disorder and neurogenic bladder.

The Board has granted reopening of the claim for service connection for bilateral knee disorders and awarded a 10% disability rating effective August 9, 2016. The claims for low back disability, neck disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, fibromyalgia, and acquired psychiatric disability (anxiety) were denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for low back and bilateral shoulder disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran's conditions are being reviewed again with new evidence.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his depression and knee conditions. The decision does not specify an effective date or rating assigned.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and lower back condition due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset in service. The Veteran will need to provide VA with any private medical records from his period of active duty, as well as authorize VA to obtain any VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder has been reopened, but the issue of whether his current condition is related to service remains pending and requires further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected CAD was reduced from 60% to 30%, and his benefits were restored effective July 1, 2015. Service connection for hypertension, lumbar strain, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and diabetes mellitus (type II) have been granted with effective dates of October 28, 2010.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back, left hip, right hip, left knee, and right knee conditions as secondary to her service-connected pes planus.,Obesity is not a condition that can be service connected by VA.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's low back disability and his military service. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a low back disability, including residuals of spinal injuries and disc degeneration.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to incomplete information about his self-employment and the need for updated VA treatment records. Additionally, a VA examination is required to assess the functional impairment caused by his service-connected right knee degenerative joint disease, thoracolumbar spine degenerative joint disease with compression fracture, left knee strain, tinnitus, residuals of surgical scar, right lower abdomen, and residuals of surgical scar, right perineum.