Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for lumbar spinal stenosis has been dismissed due to the Veteran requesting a withdrawal. The issue of service connection for pes planus is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back, left knee, and right knee disorders due to their potential relationship with a service-connected right fifth metatarsal fracture. Additionally, the claims for service connection for psychiatric and neurological disorders are also being remanded as they may be related to exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to assess the severity of the Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease, as the previous examination did not specify whether the range of motion findings were active or passive and weight-bearing or non-weight-bearing.

The Board has granted service connection for rib, neck, and low back conditions, finding that these conditions are directly related to the Veteran's in-service motor vehicle accident.

The Board has granted service connection for multilevel degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and denied non-service-connected disability pension benefits.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for CAD is denied. An effective date of June 20, 2012 for the grant of service connection for CAD is granted.,The issues related to thoracolumbar spine injury, arachnoiditis with residuals of upper and lower extremities are remanded due to their inextricable link to CUE claims and earlier effective date claims.

The Board denied service connection for lower back condition, left ankle condition, and right ear hearing loss as the evidence did not support a nexus to active duty.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder and back disabilities due to lack of evidence of a current disability during the appeal period.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability due to new and material evidence. However, the case is remanded as additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current back disability, including whether it was caused by his service-connected residuals of tuberculoid leprosy.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of compliance with previous remand directives for a VA examination. The Veteran is required to undergo another VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected low back strain with intervertebral disc syndrome/degenerative disc disease.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased ratings due to insufficient evidence, but the Veteran did not attend the scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his lower back disability was denied. The Veteran did not submit a VA Form 21-8940 to apply for TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for a back condition, left seventh rib fracture, dizziness, respiratory condition, and headaches.,There is no evidence of any in-service injury or disease that could be linked to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee and back disabilities are being remanded due to the need for updated treatment records and a new examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if service connection can be established for a back disorder, skin disorder of the scalp, and psychiatric disorder (PTSD).

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The Veteran's low back disorder, left leg numbness, and left arm numbness are all secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's low back and right knee disabilities, as well as bilateral hearing loss and erectile dysfunction, are currently rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations. The Board has found that additional evidence is needed to determine whether service connection should be granted for left knee disability secondary to right knee and low back disabilities, or for right foot disability secondary to same conditions.

The claim for service connection for a right shoulder injury has been reopened, and the case is REMANDED for further examination. The claims for higher ratings for low back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and acquired psychiatric disorder are also REMANDED.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected lumbar spine disability and urinary incontinence are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA medical records and private treatment records.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was rated at 30 percent prior to October 18, 2018. From that date forward, the rating is denied as his condition does not warrant a higher rating.