Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain was granted. The claims for increased ratings for the left and right knees were remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development related to his right shoulder disability, hypertension, and low back disability. The issues of service connection for sleep apnea and an effective date prior to April 14, 2014 for the grant of service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae are also being addressed.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is rated at 40 percent effective August 1, 2008. The appeal for a TDIU remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including sinusitis, low back disorder, left and right foot pes planus, functional bowel disease, and right knee degenerative joint disease. The decision found that new evidence did not establish a current disability or link to service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his back disability from May 1, 2008 to April 1, 2012 was denied. His TDIU claim since May 20, 2015 was granted.

The Veteran's appeal seeking increases in the 'staged' ratings for tinea versicolor, lumbosacral strain, and right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings are remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and left total knee replacement are being remanded for further evaluation.,The issue of a higher rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is also being remanded. ,The extension of the temporary total rating for right ankle convalescence beyond February 29, 2008 is not warranted.

The Veteran's disability rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability has been increased to 40 percent, effective as of the date of this decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee, degenerative disc disease with spondylosis of the lumbar spine, and residuals of a hysterectomy. The effective dates assigned are November 10, 2014 for patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee and degenerative disc disease with spondylosis of the lumbar spine, and May 23, 2015 for residuals of a hysterectomy.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a back disability and bilateral knee disabilities due to insufficient information in the medical opinions provided. The VA examinations are needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected left shoulder, cervical, and lumbosacral strain due to outstanding VA treatment records and additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and incomplete development of his Gulf War exposure history. The claims are being returned for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected low back syndrome was previously rated at 10 percent prior to April 11, 2016. After a new examination in February 2013, the rating was increased to 20 percent as of April 11, 2016. The Board found that the current evidence does not warrant an increase beyond these ratings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has remanded them for further development. The issues include service connection for psychiatric disorders (MDD, PTSD, and anxiety), a lumbar spine disorder, bilateral hip disorder, and erectile dysfunction.

The Board cannot make a fully-informed decision on the issue of service connection for a lower back disorder because no VA examiner has provided an opinion regarding its relationship to service. The Veteran's medical records should be reviewed and he should be scheduled for an examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for chronic low back strain with degenerative changes was denied, as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent. The claim for TDIU was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back, neck, right ankle, and headaches conditions have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a lumbar spine disability was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The appellant has withdrawn all appeals regarding the evaluations for various hip and spine conditions, including myofascial syndrome lumbosacral spine, right hip bursitis, left hip bursitis, and bursitis of the left thigh. As a result, the Board does not have jurisdiction to review these appeals.