Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for his left ankle disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions regarding continuity of symptomatology and the severity of his disability.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection are denied.,The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, specifically regarding the Veteran's sinus condition. Service connection is granted for lumbar back and right ankle conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since April 3, 2013. The Board has granted TDIU effective from that date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection related to musculoskeletal disabilities, including left shoulder disability, cervical spine sprain, thoracolumbar spine strain, and abdominal muscle strain are all denied. The Board finds that VA examinations are required for the remaining claims.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of various conditions and denied an earlier effective date for a 100% disability rating for asthma.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine DJD was granted, but only up to a 40% disability rating as of November 29, 2018. His TDIU claim was denied.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for cause of death, finding that neither a respiratory nor cardiovascular disease was incurred in or aggravated by service or causally related to service-connected disorders. The Veteran's PTSD did not substantially or materially contribute to his death.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of discussion regarding continuity of symptomology and whether the Veteran's low back disability is related to service. The Veteran must be provided with an addendum medical opinion addressing these issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for post-operative residuals of lumbar spine disorder, finding that there was no causal connection between his current condition and his active service.

The Veteran's lumbar strain with degenerative changes and cauda equina syndrome, as well as his erectile dysfunction (secondary to the low back disability), have been granted effective from August 1, 1998.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral shoulder conditions, lumbar spine disability, right knee arthritis, right foot arthritis with hallux valgus, and GERD.,There is no evidence of a current diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis in the Veteran's records.

The Veteran's PTSD, along with his back and knee disabilities, has resulted in a TDIU effective March 30, 2006. The Board granted a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD effective the same date.

The Board has remanded two issues related to the Veteran's low back and left knee disabilities, finding that further examination is needed to determine if these conditions are secondary to his service-connected left ankle disability.

The claim of service connection for a neck disorder is reopened.,The claims of service connection for right knee and back disorders are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current back condition is related to his active service.

The Board is remanding the claims for service connection for various disabilities secondary to service-connected knee disabilities.,The Board is also remanding the claim for service connection for sleep apnea and hypertension as they are inextricably intertwined with other pending claims.,The Board is remanding the issues of increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities.

The Board has identified additional VA treatment records and VA Disability Questionnaires that were not previously considered. The Veteran was advised to have these reviewed by the AOJ before the Board makes a decision, but did not respond. Therefore, the case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disorder has been reopened, but the Board is unable to determine if it was caused by service or a service-connected condition. The case is remanded for further development and examination.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected disabilities, including a request for increased ratings and service connection. The Board has determined that these matters require additional development.