Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has ordered remand for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for retrospective findings regarding the Veteran's neck and back disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbar spondylosis was granted a 40 percent rating, but no higher, prior to July 12, 2009. The condition was characterized by forward thoracolumbar flexion of 30 degrees or less.

The Board has granted an effective date of September 17, 2010 for the award of service connection for depressive disorder. The issues of service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and right elbow disability are remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the earlier effective date claim granted in this decision. The Veteran's increased rating claims for major depressive disorder and TBI are also remanded due to their interrelation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete STRs and insufficient medical opinions. The issues include sinusitis, neck disorder, back disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, bilateral eye disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder, heart disability (coronary atherosclerosis), left ankle disorder, and left foot disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service records and a need for further search. The appellant's claims will be reconsidered after additional information is obtained.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the appeal is granted to this extent. The appeals for service connection are remanded.

The Board has denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for back, left elbow, left knee, and right leg disorders due to VA medical treatment as there is no evidence of additional disability or a link between the treatment and the worsening conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions in a previous examination. The Veteran's cervical spine, lumbar spine, left knee, and leg numbness disorders are being reviewed again with new evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for low back pain as secondary to his already service-connected left ankle triple arthrodesis, finding that there is no medical nexus between the two conditions.

The Board has reopened the claims for lower back, left eye, and bilateral hand conditions due to new evidence. The right eye condition, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder), and headache condition are all remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted in full. The remaining issues of service connection for a back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including posttraumatic stress disorder and depression) are dismissed as moot due to the grant of service connection.,VA denied service connection for a back disorder because there was no evidence of arthritis within one year after separation from service, and VA found that the Veteran's current low back condition is not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for a rating in excess of 40 percent for back disability, an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy, and an initial rating in excess of 20 percent prior to March 7, 2013 for left lower extremity radiculopathy. The claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent from March 7, 2013 for LLE radiculopathy is also remanded with an additional request for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,PTSD is not yet manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for various musculoskeletal conditions, including chronic lumbar spine strain, right lower extremity neuropathy associated with chronic lumbosacral strain, left lower extremity neuropathy associated with chronic lumbosacral strain, chronic right supraspinatus tendonitis and subacromial bursitis and strain (right shoulder), chronic right peroneal tendonitis (right ankle), and right ankle strain was granted. The Veteran is now receiving a 40% rating for the lumbar spine strain since June 4, 2018.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right knee, left knee, and low back disabilities due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for mixed headache disorder, sinusitis, sleep apnea, left knee condition, right knee condition, and back condition are remanded due to issues with hearing scheduling and need for additional medical records.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 40 percent prior to April 17, 2009 and has been denied for a higher rating since then.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is remanded due to outstanding Department of Labor records and concerns about the adequacy of the previous VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for left hip degenerative joint disease, right leg tendonitis, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right hip with ischal tuberosity bursitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial rating determinations for back disability, left knee disability, cervical spine disability, and left shoulder disability due to insufficient examination reports.