Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate examination reports and failure to provide an adequate opinion regarding functional loss during flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection and rating for his knee, plantar fasciitis, low back condition, and ankle disorders due to inadequate examinations in prior VA evaluations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including anxiety disorder, back disorder, left knee disorder, and radiculopathies of the lower extremities, have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since January 31, 2013. Effective that date, he is granted a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed lumbar spine disability is etiologically related to his active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is remanded due to the inadequacy of the December 2016 VA examination and the Veteran's reported worsening symptoms. A new examination is necessary to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, left ankle and foot disabilities, low back disability, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment since his retirement in July 2016. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted effective July 1, 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder and hallux valgus (bunions) due to the Veteran's military service. The decision is based on evidence showing that her current conditions are at least as likely as not related to her time in active duty.

The Board denied service connection for a skin disorder (other than right-hand ganglion cyst and secondary surgical scar) and a back disorder. The claim of service connection for a stomach disorder, to include gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is remanded.,Service connection was not granted for the Veteran's claimed skin disorders or back disorder.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for DDD of the lumbar spine was denied, and his claim for a higher rating for right side lumbar radiculopathy from October 29, 2009 through June 18, 2014, and in excess of 20 percent from June 19, 2014 is being remanded.,The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was also remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's claimed disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD have been denied. The Board has found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a current diagnosis of these conditions.,The Veteran's Chiari I malformation and syringomyelia, as well as his numbness and tingling in the extremities and low back disability, are being remanded for further examination and analysis.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals regarding the increased ratings for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's lumbosacral degenerative joint and disc disease is rated at 40 percent, but the Board has remanded for further evaluation due to worsening symptoms. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and bilateral hearing loss. The claim for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae is also remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, effectively dismissing the case.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, bilateral hip, and neck disabilities. However, these claims are still pending as they have been remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder claim is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and opinion.,The low back and left knee conditions are remanded as secondary to service-connected bilateral pes planus, right knee patellar tendonitis, chondromalacia patella.,The prostate condition and erectile dysfunction claims are remanded due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,The Veteran's lung granuloma claim is remanded due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,The Veteran's prostate condition claim is also remanded due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's TBI rating was reduced from 40% to 10%, effective April 10, 2014. The GERD and shoulder conditions were remanded for further evaluation. Other issues related to service connection or disability ratings remain pending.