Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of thoracolumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate given the current functional limitations.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions provided by VA. The case is being sent back for further development, including obtaining additional treatment records and providing an expert medical opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee, middle and lower back, and upper back conditions due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The Veteran's claim for depression has been reopened and granted.,Claims for bilateral hand condition, lower back condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, anxiety, major depressive disorder, dissociative disorder) have been remanded due to new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition, bilateral knee condition, and bilateral foot condition has been denied due to lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for removal of screws from his right ankle post-surgery was also denied as there is no indication that the surgery caused additional disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeals of his service connection claims for tinnitus, back disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability remain pending. The AOJ is required to reissue the March 2018 SOCs to the Veteran and schedule him for new examinations regarding these claims.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on all issues related to service connection for various conditions, including shoulder conditions, PTSD, hearing loss, tinnitus, lung disease from asbestos exposure, and low back joint and disc disease.

The Veteran's right elbow strain, lumbar spine DJD, and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted service connection. A rating of 20 percent has been assigned for the lumbar spine DJD from September 10, 2007, to January 8, 2019.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection of low back disability, neck disability, and sciatic nerve condition are remanded due to insufficient evidence. Additional examinations will be required to determine the nature and etiology of these disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine and vertebral dislocation was denied. The Board found that an increase rating above 10 percent prior to September 23, 2016, or in excess of 40 percent thereafter is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development and examination to determine if his hip, knee, and foot disabilities are related to service or secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's right eye condition and hypertension were denied as they are not related to service. The Board found no evidence of a superimposed disease or injury during service for the right eye condition, and there is no indication that the current wrist, back, ankle, and psychiatric conditions are related to military service.,The Veteran's bilateral wrist, lumbar spine, and right ankle disabilities were remanded as VA needs to determine if they are related to her military duties. The acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD) and mental disorder for treatment purposes were also remanded due to the need to corroborate the in-service stressor.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus and a lumbar spine disorder, finding that the Veteran's conditions preexisted service and were not aggravated by active duty. The Board also found no in-service incurrence of a lumbar spine disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to June 13, 2016, for the grant of a 20 percent rating for a left foot disability and service connection for bilateral hearing loss and low back disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including low back disability, residuals of frostbite of bilateral feet, residuals of venereal disease, and residuals of head trauma. The claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran is granted a rating of 10 percent for DDD of the lumbar spine from August 15, 2013 to March 26, 2014.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to inadequate examinations and conflicting opinions.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine disability, left shoulder arthritis, right shoulder disability, fatigue syndrome, gastrointestinal disorder, anemia, and skin condition. Service connection was granted for headaches.