Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder and back disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations that comply with recent court decisions.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability is not the cause of his lumbar spine and hip disabilities. The Board denied claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and right hip, as well as a higher rating for medial-lateral instability of the right knee associated with right knee meniscectomy.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep condition is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for high blood pressure is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for high cholesterol is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of bipolar disorder is granted and the effective date is July 12, 2013.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to work.

The Veteran's lower back disability is rated at 40 percent effective May 10, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and GERD was denied. The Board found that the current evaluations adequately reflected the severity of his disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disability has been remanded due to the need for further medical examination. The issue of rating higher than 50 percent for PTSD and the TDIU issue have also been remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for low back strain with degenerative joint disease, left knee strain, and right knee strain. The decision is based on the Veteran's consistent allegations of injuries during his time as a paratrooper in the Army.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for low back disability, right lower extremity neuropathy, and left lower extremity neuropathy due to a lack of relevant medical records from prior to 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic muscular strain superimposed on degenerative instability of the lumbar and thoracic spine, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and somatic symptom disorder with predominant pain, are as likely as not rendering him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, and the initial rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity remains denied. The case is remanded for further action on service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a back disability and bilateral foot disability due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran is presumed to have been in sound condition upon entry into service, so he must show that his conditions were aggravated by service or preexisted it.

The Veteran's appeal for earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings is REMANDED due to outstanding VA treatment records, inadequate examination reports, and issues not addressed in the Statement of the Case.,The Veteran's appeal for TDIU is also REMANDED as it is inextricably intertwined with his other claims.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is rated at 30 percent, reflecting favorable ankylosis in the range of 20 to 30 degrees of dorsiflexion.,The Veteran's lower back disability is rated at 40 percent, indicating limitation of motion with flexion not exceeding 45 degrees.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for a low back disability, as it is unclear whether the Veteran's current low back condition is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected right and left knee disabilities. Additional development is needed.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder and left knee disorder were not shown until years after service, and the Board found no evidence of a link to service. The lumbar spine disorder is remanded for further review.,The Veteran's bilateral leg condition and obstructive sleep apnea are also remanded for further review.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a back condition and left ankle condition are denied. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD is granted with a 100% evaluation from September 9, 2010 to March 27, 2011 and from May 1, 2011 through March 6, 2017.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claims for a degenerative disc and low back condition, as well as his TDIU claim, need further development due to the lack of a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, right hip and left hip disabilities, right foot and left foot disabilities, back disability, and reopened the claim for service connection for a bilateral hand disability. The claims were all denied.