Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, and headaches have been reopened. Service connection has been granted for PTSD and depression. The claim for increased rating for urinary incontinence is denied as there is no evidence of renal dysfunction. The claim for increased rating for lumbosacral strain with IVDS remains pending.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and degenerative disc disease are being remanded for further review to determine the cause of his current symptoms and whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine and sciatic nerve disabilities are being remanded for further examination to determine their current severity, as the last VA examination was in August 2015. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its inextricably intertwined nature with the other issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations and to obtain outstanding VA treatment records. The issues include ratings for right ankle, lumbar spine, left hip, and right hip disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional private treatment records and an addendum opinion.

The Board denied service connection for low back strain, neck strain, and right knee disorder as there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's back disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical records and conduct a new VA examination to evaluate the current severity of his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's lumbar strain has not been found to meet or approximate the criteria for a higher disability rating, and thus her initial rating of 10 percent is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for osteoarthritis of the bilateral hands, bilateral knee disability, low back disability, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and carpal tunnel syndrome due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a low back disability due to new evidence received since the February 2003 decision. The appeal is granted, but the issue remains remanded as further development and examination are needed.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, finding that the condition was not manifest in service or within one year of separation and is unrelated to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the adequacy of a September 2016 VA medical opinion and the need for additional records from Massachusetts General Hospital.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a low back disability due to new evidence. The PTSD claim is remanded, as are claims for TBI residuals and bilateral hearing loss. Service connection for hernia resulting from VA care is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities and depression were denied. The right and left knee disabilities are rated as 10 percent each under Diagnostic Code 5257, which pertains to instability of the knees. The back disability is rated as 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5243. The Veteran's initial rating for his depression prior to September 26, 2018, was denied.

The Veteran's liver disorder and stroke were denied service connection as there was no evidence of a current disability or a link to his military service.,Service connection for the left-hand condition, right-hand arthritis, right knee arthritis, left leg disorder, right hip disorder, and thoracolumbar spine disorder (claimed as back condition) were all denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The jungle rash was also denied as there is no evidence it is related to the Veteran's service.,Service connection for hypertension was granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected right knee and/or right ankle disabilities and his thoracolumbar back condition. The Veteran will need to undergo a VA examination to determine if he has any thoracolumbar spine disabilities, including lumbar spondylosis, and whether these conditions are caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee and/or right ankle disabilities.

A 10 percent rating for a lumbar strain prior to February 11, 2016, is granted.

The Board has remanded all issues on appeal to obtain additional government records, including Social Security disability claim and treatment records.,The reopening of a claim for service connection for low back disability is remanded. The issue of service connection for low back disability is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding secondary service connection and aggravation of the low back disorder by service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination. The dental claim is referred to the AOJ, while the low back disability claim remains pending.