Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal includes requests for increased ratings for left wrist DJD and low back disability, as well as a claim for TDIU. The Board has determined that further development is needed to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a right shoulder disorder, low back disorder, right hip condition, right knee disorder, radiculopathy to the right lower extremity, and psychiatric disorder. Additional development is needed to obtain relevant medical records and determine if any acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a restoration of the 20% rating for lumbar spine degenerative disk disease is granted, subject to payment laws and regulations. The claim for a rating in excess of 20% for lumbar spine degenerative disk disease is denied. The claim for a rating in excess of 10% for right knee degenerative joint disease with chondromalacia patella is denied. The claim for entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is denied.

The Veteran's low back condition is related to his active service.,The Veteran has OSA that is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected GERD.,The Veteran has adjustment disorder and cognitive disorder that are proximately due to or the result of his service-connected GERD.,The right hip condition is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including back pain and knee conditions, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that the evidence shows he is entitled to an award of a TDIU rating based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's lumbar disc disease, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and PTSD. The issues include seeking higher ratings for these conditions as well as a TDIU determination.

Your claims for service connection on multiple conditions have been remanded to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for review of additional medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examinations and failure to consider the Veteran's lay statements. The issues of service connection for various disabilities are being reviewed again.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims.,Service connection was previously denied in June 1996, and no new and material evidence has been received since then.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain, obstructive sleep apnea, and coronary artery disease due to insufficient medical opinions provided by the VA examiner. The Veteran is requested to provide additional evidence and authorize VA to obtain relevant private records.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, low back pain, and right elbow tendonitis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The claims were remanded for other issues.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral or cervical strain, benign skin neoplasms, and low back disability. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional examinations and records, particularly regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine spondylolisthesis and thoracic spine levoscoliosis.

The Veteran's lumbosacral and cervical spine disabilities are rated at 40% and 30%, respectively, with no higher ratings granted.,Radiculopathy of the left lower extremity associated with thoracolumbar spine disability is rated at 10%. Radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is also rated at 10%, but only from December 4, 2008 to January 16, 2018. Radiculopathy of the left upper and right upper extremities are both rated at 10%.,GERD with stomach ulcers is rated at 30%. Recurrent sinusitis is rated at 10%, and neuroma of the tip of the left thumb, post partial evulsion with repair, remains rated at 10%.

The Veteran's middle-lower back condition is granted as service connected. The Veteran's left hip strain, right hip extension impairment, and right hip flexion impairment are all remanded for further examination and rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, his claim remains in remand status as further development is needed to determine if the back disability is related to active duty service.

The Veteran is granted TDIU effective from November 6, 1985 to August 12, [1988]. The Court reversed the Board's decision and ordered this effective date.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, finding no medical nexus between his current conditions and service. The Veteran's claim for residuals of a traumatic brain injury is remanded due to insufficient evidence in the examination reports.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back and right ankle disabilities are not related to his active service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for service connection of an adjustment disorder, lumbar spine disability, and left knee disability.,Service connection was denied for a left shoulder grinding condition.