Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims for a compensable rating for left and right knee strain, as well as service connection for a lumbar spine disorder can be properly adjudicated.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disorders, including DJD and DDD. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that these conditions had their onset in or are otherwise related to the Veteran’s military service.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for TMJ and back disabilities were denied in a February 2014 rating decision. The claim for TMJ was reopened due to new evidence, but the claim for back disability remains pending as it requires an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 40 percent effective December 8, 2018. The right and left ankle strains are each rated at 20 percent effective November 18, 2006.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence and examination regarding the Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine strain with degenerative arthritis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a link between these conditions and his active duty service. The Board also found that the Veteran is not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to procedural defects and the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his previously denied service connection for depression was granted. Service connection for unspecified depressive disorder as secondary to service-connected lumbar myositis is also granted, and the rating reduction of lumbar myositis from 40% to 20% is restored.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to additional development being necessary, including obtaining private treatment records and VA opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating of painful left foot scar was denied. The service connection claims for low back disability, right ear hearing loss, carpal tunnel syndrome, and psychiatric disability were remanded. A TDIU claim is also pending.

The Veteran's service connection for renal dysfunction due to medications associated with his service-connected disabilities is granted. The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease, lumbar spine with disc narrowing at L4-L5 is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations in April 2009 and April 2013, which failed to opine on pain's impact on functional ability during flare-ups or provide such limitations if feasible. The Veteran is requested to provide medical records of treatment for the disability and a retrospective opinion on additional functional loss during flare-ups.

The Veteran's appeal seeking a higher rating for PTSD was withdrawn prior to the Board's decision.,The Veteran's back, right knee, and left knee disabilities are now considered secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee, left knee, back, and neck conditions should be remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding in-service parachute jumps.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate opinions in his VA examinations and insufficient evidence regarding certain disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hyperthyroidism, sinusitis with headaches, hypertension with diabetic nephropathy, right ankle disorder, back disorder, neck disorder, eye disorder (papilledema), and lung disorder due to missing medical records. The case must be developed by obtaining all relevant treatment records from VA and private sources.

The Veteran's low back and left knee disabilities have been granted service connection. The right knee disability is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's back disability, headaches, acquired psychological disorder (including depression and anxiety), and hypertension have been granted service connection. The Veteran's left wrist sprain and right wrist sprain continue to be rated at the maximum allowed.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine, left and right arm disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected residuals of laminectomy with history of low back strain substantially contributed to his death, and thus grants the claim for service connection for the cause of death.