Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disabilities, including degenerative disc disease, facet joint osteoarthropathy, and grade 1 degenerative spondylolisthesis of L4-L5, are as likely as not related to his in-service injury. As such, service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for a contemporaneous VA examination.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left knee traumatic arthritis, left knee lateral instability, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The right knee issue is also remanded as secondary to the service-connected left knee condition. Sleep apnea is also remanded as secondary to PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar strain disability is related to her in-service low back pain, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as Lumbosacral Degenerative Disk Disease (DDD), was incurred during service and is now granted.

The Veteran's DDD of the cervical spine is granted as service-connected. The Veteran's right hip arthritis and herniated nucleus pulposus with spondylolisthesis are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and right knee disorder. The claims are now remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and vocational rehabilitation folder, and for an examination to determine the nature and etiology of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities and to obtain updated VA examinations.,The Veteran has multiple issues related to his service-connected disabilities, including increased ratings for various knee disorders, shoulder strain, wrist strain, thoracic spine compression fracture, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, bilateral plantar fasciitis with first metatarsophalangeal joint degenerative arthritis, pansinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and tension headaches. Additionally, he seeks service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and right flank condition with numbness.

The Veteran's low back strain is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition, as there has been a reported worsening since his last examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a back condition and PTSD due to inadequate VA examinations and conflicting medical opinions. The Veteran will need to undergo further evaluations to determine if his conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals as to bilateral hearing loss, chronic fatigue syndrome, and insomnia. The remaining issues are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a depressive disorder has been reopened and granted. The right foot metatarsalgia with pes planus and degenerative joint disease is rated at 20 percent.,Right hip replacement, left wrist cyst secondary to service-connected disabilities, lumbosacral strain, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy with sciatic nerve involvement of the left lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy with external cutaneous nerve involvement of the left lower extremity are all remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for herniated nucleus pulposus of the lumbar spine was denied due to lack of evidence showing a link between his current condition and military service. The claim for PTSD has been reopened, but not granted as there is no credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressors occurred.,The Veteran's claims for left knee degenerative joint disease, right knee degenerative joint disease, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, conjunctivitis, sinusitis, tinea pedis, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus were all denied as there is no evidence to support these conditions were incurred during or related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lower back condition, including ankylosing spondylitis, osteoarthritis, and degenerative disc disease, is etiologically related to his service injuries. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development on several issues, including service connection for diabetes and increased ratings for various knee and shoulder disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include secondary service connection for various disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations. The issues include TBI, lower back disability, arthritis, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's left ankle disorder is granted a 20 percent rating, but no higher. The Veteran’s posttraumatic headaches are granted a 30 percent rating, but no higher. The Veteran’s cervical spine disability is denied any increase in rating. The Veteran’s left upper extremity radiculopathy and right upper extremity radiculopathy are both granted a 40 percent rating, but no higher. The Veteran's thoracic spine degenerative disc disease is denied any increase in rating. The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is denied any increase in rating. A total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted from September 18, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathy of the left lower extremity have been granted a higher rating, while bowel incontinence and bladder incontinence secondary to the lumbar spine disability are also granted. The Veteran is now rated for his service-connected disabilities.