Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability has been reopened, and the case is remanded for further examination to determine if any current disabilities had their onset in service or are otherwise related to inservice disease or injury.

The Board has added new evidence to the record, including treatment records and service treatment records. The claims for lower back disability and high blood pressure are being remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a dental condition for VA outpatient treatment have been granted. The remaining issues of left knee disability, gastrointestinal disability, lumbar spine transverse process fracture with residual chronic pain, and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and Baker's cyst are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU were dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for daily headaches, rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and thoracolumbar spine strain, and rating in excess of 50 percent for unspecified anxiety disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology and severity.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is rated at 20 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The Board found that his flexion was limited to 60 degrees with additional limitation due to repetitive use.

The Board has denied service connection for right shoulder, back, and abdominal disabilities. The left jaw scar and acne issues are remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeal for a compensable initial disability rating for back scars and granted an initial disability rating of 40 percent for the lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted, with a rating of 70 percent effective from September 10, 2018.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of low back pain, back scars, and PTSD with sleep disorder. Specifically, VA must provide appropriate VCAA notice letters, obtain relevant records from service departments, and ensure all necessary development actions are completed.

The Board has determined that additional development is required for the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, lumbosacral strain with rheumatoid spondylitis, sacroiliac joints and degenerative joint disease, coronary artery disease, PTSD, and TDIU. The claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, gout, bilateral knee disability, stroke, TIA, low back injury with degenerative disc disease, and depression due to insufficient evidence and need for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, right knee disorders, and left knee disorders due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical and lumbar spine conditions due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the Veteran's service connection claim. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his neck and back issues, which he attributes to his military duties as a jet pilot.

The Veteran's initial rating for a back disorder and left ankle disorder is denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's low back disability, including rating claims and service connection for various lower extremity and hip/knee disabilities. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for renal dysfunction. Additional evidence is needed, particularly from VA providers, and a comprehensive examination is required.

The Board has found a need for a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine, as the previous examination was conducted while she was pregnant and did not include all required testing. The Veteran is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for paroxysmal tachycardia and remanded the cases of lumbar degenerative arthritis, post-traumatic stress disorder, and the effective date claim. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations and file a substantive appeal if he wishes to pursue these issues further.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and arthritis of the lumbar spine with spina bifida occulta, finding that there was no evidence to support these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, diabetes mellitus, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and arthritis, and radiculopathy. The Veteran is also seeking an effective date prior to September 19, 2016, for various disabilities.