Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's initial rating for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine was granted at a 20% level, but the Board found that prior to September 1, 2015, his disability warranted an increased rating to 30%. The decision also noted that there were no incapacitating episodes within the past year.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder disability, low back disability, left hip arthritis, right hip arthritis, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's current disabilities are not considered to be related to his active service.,The Board also denied a higher evaluation for the service-connected shell fragment wound of the left thigh and denied compensable evaluations for two service-connected scars.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations. The appeals will be reconsidered after obtaining all necessary medical records and conducting further evaluations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, cervical spine disability, radiculopathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities, and tinnitus. The reasons include that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claim for low back disability, and there is no direct or secondary service connection based on the evidence provided.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that there is no evidence of a causal relationship between his current back disability and his active military service.

The appeal of the lumbar spine disability is dismissed, while the psychiatric disorder issue is remanded.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability due to new and material evidence received since the May 2012 rating decision. The claim is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus, hammertoes, and DJD are granted service connection. Service connection for cervical spine disability is also granted, but the rating assigned is only 20 percent, which may not be sufficient given his symptoms. The issue of higher ratings for thoracolumbar spine disability remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding a continuity of symptomatology since service. Service connection was denied for diabetes mellitus and diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since December 27, 2013. The Board has granted the TDIU effective from that date.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and the Veteran's credible assertion of having had back pain since service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and bilateral lower extremities radiculopathy due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasoning in its decision regarding service connection for low back pain. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed again with a new examination and consideration of all evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination due to incomplete records and inadequate opinions in previous examinations.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, blurry vision, and dizziness were not incurred or related to his service.,There is no evidence of current disabilities for the claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case to consider new evidence submitted by the Veteran, and to readjudicate all claims including this new evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and the need for additional evidence, particularly regarding functional loss during flare-ups.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeals for all remaining issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, GERD, bilateral hearing loss disability, jaw (TMJ) disability, left shoulder disability, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, raticulopathy of the left upper extremity, obstructive sleep apnea, chronic kidney disability, and erectile dysfunction are not service-connected.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to uncertainty about whether the Veteran's service in November 2012 qualifies as federal service, and because a VA examination is needed if it does.