Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition is reopened, and the case is remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and any private treatment records from the Mayo Clinic.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip disability, an increased rating for his low back disability prior to July 16, 2017, and earlier effective dates for bilateral lower radiculopathy.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his lower back disability prior to November 15, 2016 was denied. The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy from November 15, 2016 also resulted in a denial of the requested increased ratings.,For both the lower back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy, higher ratings were not granted as there was no evidence showing that the conditions warranted such an increase.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his back disability and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity were denied. The Board found that the criteria for higher ratings were not met.

The Veteran's asthma is granted service connection. The claims for PTSD, lumbar spine strain with degenerative disc disease, TBI, migraine headaches, vertigo, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral foot disorders and right knee disorder due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's low back disorder is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, hypertension, and headaches have been granted. The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the claim for a low back disability. However, the claims for hypertension and headaches were denied as there was no new and material evidence received.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as a low back disability. The Veteran is required to undergo additional examinations to determine the severity of his disabilities and their etiology.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for back condition and aneurysm secondary to back condition due to new evidence submitted by the appellant. The Board will seek additional medical opinions on whether the Veteran had a pre-existing back condition prior to military service, and if so, whether it was aggravated by his service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to new evidence of worsening symptoms and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is granted a 30 percent rating, effective May 1, 2009. Service connection for Hashimoto's thyroiditis is denied.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with IVDS is rated at 20 percent prior to October 23, 2018 and denied for a rating in excess of 20 percent since that date. The need for aid and attendance has been raised by the record.

The Board has determined that more development is necessary before final adjudication of the claims on appeal, including scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorder (PTSD) and foot disabilities. The issues of entitlement to service connection for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, heart disability, bilateral hearing loss, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), as well as whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen these claims are all remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease, claimed as low back pain, is service-connected due to in-service injuries and related medical findings.

The Board has granted a disability evaluation of 50 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis from April 27, 2016 to September 8, 2016. The issue of service connection for a back condition is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection was denied. The evaluation for Tietze's syndrome remains at 10 percent, while the claim for a low back disorder is pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of medical records and requests that the Veteran provide authorization for VA to obtain relevant treatment records. The Veteran is also required to undergo a VA orthopedic examination.

The Veteran's rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,A separate 20 percent rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity as of March 25, 2010, and a separate 10 percent rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity as of March 25, 2010, are proper.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his back disability is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for lumbar and thoracic spine disabilities due to outstanding private treatment records and the need for a new medical opinion.

The Veteran's left eye scar is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has found that a higher rating is not warranted.,For his service-connected right wrist disability, erectile dysfunction (secondary to PTSD), and back disability, additional evidence is needed as the current VA examinations are inadequate.