Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examinations.

A 40 percent rating for DDD of the lumbar spine is granted, while a remand is ordered for further examination and consideration of right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hip disability, low back disability, and neck disability due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a back condition has been dismissed as the authorized representative requested withdrawal prior to any decision being made.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board denies entitlement to Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding the relationship between his current disabilities and his military service. The issues include cervical spine, lumbar spine, throat condition (GERD), sleep apnea, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to find and follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds it at least equipoise that he is unable to secure such employment.

The Veteran is granted a disability rating of 70 percent for depressive disorder from August 9, 2016.,The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine continues to be rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was denied a higher rating, and the bilateral hearing loss disability was also denied a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection as his degenerative disc disease is not related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and osteoarthritis of the right knee, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to active duty service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and SMC due to his death, as the appellant was substituted as the claimant. She is now required to submit any additional evidence she may have.

The Board has remanded the claims for right ankle disability, sinus condition, and back disability (secondary to right ankle) due to incomplete examination reports and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his lumbar spine condition has been dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and a neck disability, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence in favor of the Veteran's assertions regarding the onset and continuity of his symptoms since service.

The claim for a rating greater than 40 percent for residuals of traumatic brain injury has been dismissed. The claims for service connection and compensation for bilateral hearing loss, muscle damage of the abdomen (stomach pain, stomach problems), cervical spine DDD, osteochondritis dissecans of the left foot, and dry-eye syndrome have been addressed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for gout, a low back disorder, and bilateral eye disorder (claimed as left eye glaucoma) have been denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or in-service incurrence.,Service connection for frostbite of the ankles and feet has also been denied.