Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to properly assess the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically his back and carpal tunnel syndrome. The claims for increased ratings will be remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, continuity of symptomatology since service, or etiological relationship to service.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 9, 2013 for the assignment of a 10 percent rating for lumbosacral strain was dismissed because it lacks legal merit.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's back disability is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee chondromalacia with arthritis.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a low back condition. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and a bilateral leg disorder, finding that there is no evidence to support these claims. The Board concluded that the Veteran did not have a current disability related to his military service or any presumptive conditions.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, gastrointestinal condition, and acquired psychiatric disability are all considered granted. The low back disability and headache disability remain pending as the appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's back disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted. The right and left knee disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition as secondary to his service-connected right knee arthritis has been remanded. The claims for an intestinal condition and breathing problems have also been remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that his current diagnoses of degenerative disc disease, lumbar strain, and arthritis of the spine are related to an in-service injury lifting an aircraft tire while serving as an aircraft mechanic.

The Board has remanded the issues of an initial disability rating higher than 30 percent for bilateral foot disorder, a lumbar spine disability, and chronic adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression due to lack of representation and need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for DJD of the lumbar spine, bilateral ankles, bilateral feet, COPD, a cardiovascular disorder, and PTSD due to incomplete records from Social Security Administration (SSA).

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders, as well as low back disorder. The claims for bilateral foot disorders are still pending but not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain and a head injury due to inadequate opinions in the VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine arthritis with degenerative disc disease with IVDS is currently rated at 20 percent, effective August 10, 2018. The Board found that the disability did not meet criteria for a higher rating based on additional limitation of motion or ankylosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include back disability, respiratory infections, obstructive sleep apnea, derma fibrosarcoma (presumptively related to herbicide exposure), peripheral neuropathy in both upper extremities, all of which are presumed to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, right knee osteoarthritis and internal derangement, bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, and lower extremity radiculopathy. The appellant is to be afforded appropriate examinations to determine the current severity of his lumbar spine, right knee, and bilateral foot disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to lack of recent VA treatment records, outstanding SSA disability benefits records, and inadequate prior VA examinations. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is being evaluated as secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than January 16, 2015 for coronary artery disease was denied. The appeal is remanded for further development regarding the claims for hemorrhoids and lumbar strain.,Initial ratings for coronary artery disease, hemorrhoids, and lumbar strain are also remanded due to incomplete records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back disorder, bilateral knee disorders, and peripheral neuropathy of the extremities due to outstanding treatment records and a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for low back disorder, bilateral hip disorder, and bilateral knee disorder as the evidence did not show a link between these conditions and active service.