Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected right knee osteoarthritis, lumbosacral strain, and left inguinal hernia.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that the condition began in service or is otherwise related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an error in not considering a medical opinion from Dr. Van Adams, and further evaluation is needed to determine if any identified recurrent lumbar spine disability had its onset during active service or is related to any incident of service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to missing STRs and outstanding VA medical records. The Veteran's conditions include left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, a lumbar spine disability, and dermatitis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the percentage requirements for a schedular TDIU rating, and there is no evidence to support an extraschedular TDIU rating due to her ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is granted with an initial rating of 70 percent, effective September 20, 2016. Service connection for bilateral tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and lumbar spine disability are also granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety and lumbar spine degenerative joint disease (djd) have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeals.

The Board has denied a rating greater than 20 percent for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, finding that the evidence does not support such an increase in disability level.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA vocational rehabilitation records and treatment records from Camp Lejeune Naval Hospital. The Veteran also needs an addendum opinion regarding his bilateral shoulder and knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to increased ratings for left knee disability and service connection for a low back disability due to new evidence and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination reports and a need for a new medical examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the cases of cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities due to insufficient discussion in previous VA medical opinions regarding the Veteran's statements about his service-related injuries. The case is now pending for further examination and opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus due to inadequate reasons and bases, as well as issues related to VA's duty to assist and compliance with Correia and Sharp.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service treatment records, particularly those related to the Veteran's Purple Heart Medal and Combat Action Ribbon awards. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a lumbar spine condition have been reopened, and the appeals are granted.,Service connection has been granted for MDD (including bipolar disorder) and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The issue of service connection for PTSD due to MST is remanded.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating claim for right cheek scar was denied. The Board found that the scar did not meet criteria for a higher rating due to lack of painful, unstable, or disfiguring characteristics. Service connection claims for back disability and psychiatric disability were also denied as there was no evidence of continuity of symptomatology or etiology with service.

The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and restored a 20% disability rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability. The reduction of the disability rating from 20% to 10% was found improper, and the 20% rating is now reinstated.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for left foot, right foot, and low back disabilities have been dismissed. The appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and hypertension has been remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension and glaucoma are not service-connected.,Right and left lower extremity varicose veins have been rated as 40 percent disabling, but the Veteran is seeking higher ratings. The Board finds that a rating in excess of 40 percent is not warranted at this time.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction may be related to Gulf War exposures, but further clarification is needed from an appropriate clinician.,Left and right knee strains have been rated as 10 percent disabling each, but the Veteran is seeking higher ratings. The Board finds that a rating in excess of 10 percent for both knees is not warranted at this time.,Lumbar spine degenerative joint disease has been rated as 20 percent disabling, but the Veteran is seeking a higher rating. The Board finds that a rating in excess of 20 percent is not warranted at this time.