Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's insomnia and migraine headaches are granted service connection.,The Veteran's back disorder is remanded for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's BUE disorder, to include cubital tunnel syndrome, is remanded for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's sleep disorder, other than insomnia, to include obstructive sleep apnea, is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations for DDD of the lumbar spine was denied. The evaluation from April 5, 2007 to July 27, 2009 was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating. The evaluation beginning July 27, 2009 was also denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher than 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, higher initial ratings for his disabilities, and nonservice-connected pension are being remanded due to the need to obtain SSA records and updated income information.

The Veteran's service-connected left distal tibia fracture is found to be the primary cause of his degenerative disc disease, sacroiliac joint strain, cervical spine arthritis, bilateral hip arthritis, and fibromyalgia.,Service connection for major depressive disorder secondary to service-connected left distal tibia fracture has been granted.

The Veteran's diagnosed thoracolumbar spine disability is as likely as not proximately caused or aggravated by his service-connected pes planus status-post triple arthrodesis with residual scar.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for compensable ratings for deviated nasal septum and pseudofolliculitis barbae. The appeal for service connection of a lumbar spine disability is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating greater than 10 percent for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine prior to May 24, 2017 and for an increased rating greater than 20 percent from that date. The case is being returned for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine (claimed as a low back condition) due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between her current disability and an in-service injury or disease.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right and left shoulder disorders, ulcers, prostate disorder, hemoglobin disorder, cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, cardiac disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, dementia and Alzheimer's disease, kidney disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, eye disorder, and hypertension. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has granted a separate rating for the left knee surgical scar and reopened the right knee disability claim. The case is remanded to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the lumbar spine disability.

A 10 percent rating for a surgical scar associated with lumbar disc disease prior to May 18, 2017 is granted.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for the same condition since May 18, 2017 is denied.,An effective date earlier than August 22, 2016, for SMC at the housebound rate is denied.

The Veteran's claims for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The Board has remanded these issues for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board dismissed the appeal as the appellant withdrew his request for service connection for low back disability.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's low back disability should be remanded for further examination and opinion due to insufficient previous opinions on secondary service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete information and unavailability of service treatment records. The Veteran needs to complete and return a NA Form 13055, or if his records are unavailable, another VA examination will be scheduled.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and private provider information. The Veteran may also undergo a VA examination to assess his current low back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for a back condition and bilateral hip condition due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and remanded the issues of increased ratings for left and right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's back disability is not rated higher than 20 percent, and his lower extremity radiculopathies are each rated at 10 percent.,The left ankle fracture residuals warrant a 20 percent rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to February 25, 2014, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.