Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for her thoracolumbar spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to the need for new examinations. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claims.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted from January 11, 2008. The Board has remanded the issue of an increased rating for his left ankle disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to his severe pain, numbness, and limited mobility.

The Board denied service connection for left knee, left ankle, and low back disorders due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or periods of active duty training.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, left hip disability, left foot disability, and right ear hearing loss disability. Service connection was granted for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB).,Service connection for bilateral knee disability and an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss disability are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and a low back disability have been denied as there is no credible evidence to support the claimed in-service stressors, and the current disabilities are not related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disability, hypertension, and neurogenic bladder. The evidence is at least in equipoise that these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee disability and thoracolumbar spine disability has been reopened. Service connection is granted for these conditions as secondary to his service-connected right knee disabilities. The claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and depression are also remanded, along with the rating issues for right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and higher initial disability ratings are being remanded due to the need to locate his VA compensation applications filed in 1979, 1982, 1984, 1986 at the Chicago RO and in 1994, 1995, 1998 at the Little Rock RO. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her cervical spine disability was denied as her range of motion did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. Her claim for TDIU was also denied due to her failure to submit requested information and forms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain prior to February 2, 2015, and from that date. The case is now before the Board for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing service records. The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including degenerative arthritis, a lumbar spine disorder, an eye disorder, vertigo, and restless leg syndrome.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disorder is related to his active duty service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's residuals of hysterectomy are granted, while her left ankle disability (secondary to service-connected right ankle strain), right knee patellofemoral syndrome, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, lumbar strain, major depressive disorder, and migraines remain remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration due to issues related to increased ratings for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and associated right lower extremity radiculopathies, as well as TDIU.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for a hernia with hydrocele was granted. The appeal for other issues were dismissed.,The Board found that new and material evidence had been received, allowing the reopening of the claim for service connection for a hernia with hydrocele.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of bilateral hearing loss. The remaining issues have been remanded for further development and examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical examination and records review, specifically regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is secondary to her service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is granted as service connected. The Veteran's vision disability, low back disability, left ankle disability, and bruises on the left side of body are denied.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and rating consideration, including the initial ratings for left long finger disability, right elbow disability prior to June 27, 2016, and lumbar spine disability prior to June 27, 2016.