Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

Service connection for right shoulder strain and degenerative arthritis is granted.,Initial ratings of 10 percent, but no higher, for right knee osteoarthritis with limitation of flexion are granted.,Initial ratings of 20 percent, but no higher, for right knee osteoarthritis with limitation of extension are granted.,TDIU from March 14, 2017 is granted.,TDIU prior to March 14, 2017 on an extraschedular basis under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b) is remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection of various disabilities, including lumbar spine, cervical spine, left lower extremity, headache disorder, and upper extremity disabilities. The missing records from his military service, as well as recent treatment records, need to be obtained.

The Veteran's back disability claim is remanded due to the need for a more recent VA examination to determine the severity of his service-connected disabilities, including IVDS and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's back disability is being remanded for further examination and clarification of his medication use. His TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its inextricability with the rating issue.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and no jurisdiction remains for adjudicating the merits of the claims.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a current disability. Tinnitus has been granted as the Veteran currently experiences tinnitus that can be linked to his service.,Service connection for lumbar spine strain was granted with an effective date of July 1, 1972. The Veteran's asthma and emphysema are rated at 20%.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 10% and denied for an evaluation in excess. His obstructive sleep apnea has not been found to warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it manifested within one year of separation from active duty.,The Veteran's lumbar back strain, left patellofemoral knee disorder, and right hip strain are remanded for further examination and rating considerations.,The Veteran's respiratory disorder is remanded to determine its etiology.,The Veteran's psychiatric disorder (presumed PTSD) is remanded to determine its etiology.

The Veteran's initial rating for his service-connected low back disability is granted at a 40 percent, but no higher. The case is remanded for further action on the issues of entitlement to separate ratings for radiculopathy and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for a back disability, service connection for a left hip disability (secondary to the back disability), and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to assess his current back and left hip conditions.

The Veteran's lower back pain, while lacking an official diagnosis, is causally related to his active military service and has been granted service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for all issues currently pending before the Board, including those related to his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions are remanded due to incomplete records and need for further medical opinions. The claim for a higher rating for tinnitus is denied as the current schedular rating is adequate.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for his service-connected right shoulder disability, back disability, and tinnitus ratings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for her cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities were denied. The left shoulder disability claim was denied as there is no evidence of a distinct condition separate from the already service-connected cervical spine and left upper extremity radiculopathy. For the cervical spine, the 20 percent rating was granted effective March 20, 2014, but not prior to that date. The lumbar spine disability claim resulted in a remand for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of asbestos exposure and a low back disability, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, diagnosed as cervical spondylosis and degenerative disc disease, is granted service connection. The Veteran's headache condition remains in dispute and requires further medical opinion.

The Veteran's current back disability is related to the in-service injury, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's low back strain was granted an initial rating of 40 percent, but no higher.,Issues related to nerve damage in the right and left lower extremities as well as the back are remanded for further review.