Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's PTSD, right ankle tendinitis, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and degenerative disease of the lumbar spine are all remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for a cardiac disorder, cervical disorder, and lumbar disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is not considered as the primary cause of her current cardiac condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions, particularly those related to bilateral ankles, knees, hips, lumbar spine, cervical spine, right ankle condition, left ankle condition, right knee condition, left knee condition, right hip condition, left hip condition, and sleep apnea. The claims are also remanded for increased evaluations.

The Board has vacated and remanded the claims for increased ratings of service-connected left shoulder, right shoulder, lumbar spine, left hip, and right hip disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations in 2014.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain, including on an extraschedular basis. The claim also includes service connection for a ruptured Achilles tendon claimed as due to service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's lumbar spondylosis is granted as secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability.,A rating of 40 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy from December 3, 2018, is granted. Prior to that date, the rating remains at 10 percent.,Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is granted.

The Board has stayed the adjudication of claims related to herbicide agent exposure in or near the Korean Demilitarized Zone. The petition to reopen service connection for a spine condition is reopened, but the merits of the claim are remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's right knee status post arthroplasty with history of degenerative joint disease is granted a disability rating of 60 percent, effective October 1, 2013. The other issues related to his thoracolumbar spine strain and right knee conditions have been resolved in his favor.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, finding no evidence of a chronic disease in service or within one year after separation. The VA examiner concluded that the current lumbar spine condition was less likely than not incurred during active duty.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to determine if the Veteran's back condition, left knee condition, or right knee condition are related to his military service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss, hypertension, a low back condition, and headaches should be remanded due to potential missing VA treatment records.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, and the Board dismissed it due to lack of allegations of errors in fact or law.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin rash was denied as there is no competent evidence of a current disability.,For the period prior to March 25, 2010, the Veteran's lumbar spine disability did not meet the criteria for an increased rating beyond 10 percent.,Since March 25, 2010, the Veteran's lumbar spine disability did not meet the criteria for an increased rating beyond 40 percent.,The initial increased rating of 20 percent prior to March 25, 2010, for left shoulder disability was granted.,Since March 25, 2010, the Veteran's left shoulder disability did not meet the criteria for an increased rating beyond 30 percent.,The initial increased rating of 70 percent for PTSD throughout the appeal period was granted.,The initial increased rating of 50 percent for tension headaches was granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating of genital herpes, as well as the issues regarding lumbar spine disability with radiculopathy, bilateral tinea pedis, and tinea cruris. The Veteran is also required to undergo VA examinations to assess his current disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives and the need for a more complete medical advisory opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and musculoskeletal conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU, which satisfies his appeal for a higher evaluation of PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected disabilities, including peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, low back disability, left knee disability, and heart disability. The Board has determined that additional development is needed for these claims due to incomplete medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for back disability, right eye disability, cerebrovascular disorder, and petit mal seizures due to lack of sufficient medical opinions addressing their etiology. The Veteran's claims are not currently decided.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased evaluations for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity involving the sciatic nerve, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity involving the femoral nerve. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain, so the issue is dismissed.