Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for various disabilities, including lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease secondary to bilateral knee disability. The Veteran is seeking a determination on whether his lumbar strain with DDD is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected back disability is denied as the evidence does not show that he has unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, which would warrant a higher 50% evaluation. The current 40% rating adequately compensates him based on limitation of motion.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's service treatment records from his Air Force service and to provide him with a VA examination for his acquired psychiatric disorder, skin disorders, back disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, and polyneuropathy. The claims are being remanded due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for myofascial pain syndrome of the lumbar spine with degenerative disc disease was denied. The rating prior to August 28, 2006 is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. For the period from August 28, 2006 onwards, the Veteran's claim is also denied as there are no incapacitating episodes of significant duration and no evidence of ankylosis.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated as 50% disabling prior to March 11, 2013.,The Veteran’s lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 20% since October 21, 2006. The claim for a higher rating is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and a neck disorder, finding that the Veteran's current disorders are not related to his in-service injury. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and chronic low back pain, finding that the evidence supports a nexus to service. The Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service injuries.

The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy and back disability are rated at 40 percent, granting a higher rating than previously assigned. The Veteran is also granted entitlement to TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable disability rating for thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis and left elbow degenerative arthritis due to inadequate examination findings. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities, including range of motion testing during flares.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and arthritis, finding insufficient evidence to link these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder are granted service connection. The right shoulder, right hand, right foot, hepatitis C, left hip disabilities, low back disability, and cervical spine disability are dismissed due to withdrawal of appeals.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete VA examination and requests for additional medical evidence. The Veteran's low back disability is being reviewed again.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional information and examination regarding the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and its associated radiculopathy. The issues of increased initial ratings for herniated lumbar disc, IVDS, radiculopathy right lower extremity, and radiculopathy left lower extremity are all remanded.

The Veteran's low back condition and left ulnar neuropathy are both being remanded for further evaluation due to conflicting evidence regarding their severity.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection, increased rating, and TDIU due to incomplete examinations and insufficient reasoning in previous decisions. The Veteran is required to provide updated medical records and undergo new examinations to determine if his back condition is related to service or aggravated by his left knee disability.

The Veteran's right hand condition, including the ring finger, fibromyalgia (claimed as chronic fatigue syndrome), migraine headaches, back disorder, folliculitis and acne, and obstructive sleep apnea are not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, increased ratings for left and right knee degenerative arthritis, and an increase in rating for nephrolithiasis. The issues are also related to his left ankle degenerative joint disease.

The Board denied a higher rating for the Veteran's service-connected low back spondylosis with degenerative disc disease, finding that his condition did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA and private treatment records. The Veteran is required to provide authorization for these records, and a medical examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to an incomplete record from Henry Ford Health System, and requests for records have been made.