Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current low back disability, as there are insufficient medical records in the file to make a determination.

The Veteran's appeal for reopening his claim of service connection for neck injuries and related degenerative disc disease was dismissed. His claims for knee disabilities, hearing loss, and total knee replacements were also dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete records and the need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and depression due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran is requested to provide or authorize release of private records related to his employment at the Homeland Security Agency, and he will be scheduled for VA examinations by an orthopedic specialist and a mental health examiner.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative disk disease of the thoracolumbar spine and compression fracture of the 8th dorsal vertebra are being remanded due to inextricably intertwined issues with a proposal to reduce his combined disability rating.

The Veteran's intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was found to not meet criteria for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent from March 12, 2018.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to determine the nature and cause of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, low back disability, bilateral knee disability, respiratory disorder (scar tissue of the lungs), and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is being remanded for additional development of his VA treatment records and SSA benefits records.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is now remanded for further development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent effective March 8, 2014.,Radiculopathy of the right and left femoral nerves does not warrant a compensable rating.,Radiculopathy of the left sciatic nerve warrants a 20 percent rating.,Radiculopathy of the external popliteal nerve in both lower extremities from November 15, 2016 is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the cervical spine, lumbar spine, heart condition, and prostate cancer claims.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional examination and consideration of new evidence. The issues include ratings for lumbosacral strain prior to April 15, 2011, from April 15, 2011, and right leg sciatica.

The Veteran's scleritis and lumbosacral strain were denied service connection, with the scleritis finding that there was no evidence of current eye condition related to service. The lumbosacral strain claim had its effective date corrected from May 31, 2014 to June 1, 2014 and increased from noncompensable to 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service. However, the back disability issue is remanded for further development as requested.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus was at least as likely as not aggravated during active service. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The claim for service connection of a back disability has been reopened, but the Board is remanding it due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection issue.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his knee disabilities, lumbar spine disability, left hip disability, and right hip disability due to inadequate examination reports and failure to address aggravation by a service-connected condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case because they need more information about whether the Veteran's current low back disorder is related to his service-connected left ankle disability.