Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of her cervical spine, thoracic spine, left knee, shin splints, and hip disabilities. The VA will provide additional examinations to address these issues.

The Veteran's appeal of an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left elbow disability is dismissed.,A separate 10 percent rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity associated with lumbosacral strain is granted, effective July 11, 2014.,Effective July 11, 2014, but no earlier, a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted for unspecified depressive disorder and lumbosacral strain.

The appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for PTSD is granted. The appeals to reopen claims of service connection for a low back disability and bipolar disorder are denied.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's back disorder, right hip disabilities, and left hip disabilities are all remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 and service connection for left hip and low back disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records from Elmendorf AFB hospital.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to lack of available service treatment records and an inaccurate request for radiation exposure information. The Veteran's bladder cancer is presumed not related to ionizing radiation, but his degenerative arthritis may be related to ionizing radiation or his bladder cancer.

The Veteran's service-connected neck disability, back disability, and right and left upper extremity disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, right knee, and left knee disorders. The case is being remanded to obtain an addendum opinion from the examiner who conducted the July 2018 VA knees and spine examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the thoracic and cervical spines were denied as his range of motion did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to conflicting findings from VA examinations, unclear functional loss estimates, and the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an upper back disability was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claim. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for a skin rash.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disorder. The claims are now pending for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine is currently rated at 20 percent, but denied for a higher rating prior to February 27, 2019.

The Board has found that additional development is necessary due to outstanding SSA records and a need for more recent VA examinations. The case is being remanded for these purposes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar strain and TDIU based on service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not show ankylosis or incapacitating episodes, which are required for higher ratings under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was rated at 50 percent, but the Board found that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of chronic respiratory failure with carbon dioxide retention or cor pulmonale.,For the left knee injury prior to November 25, 2014, the Veteran received a 10 percent rating based on painful motion. After this date, he was granted a 30 percent rating for limitation of extension and a 20 percent rating for meniscal tear.,Major depressive disorder was rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum available under Diagnostic Code 9434.,Degenerative disc disease (low back disability) was rated at 40 percent, but not higher due to lack of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome.,Erectile dysfunction received a non-compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder did not manifest during service or within one year of discharge, and is not otherwise attributable to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a low back disorder is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination. The claims will be reconsidered after obtaining additional information.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since May 2, 2012. He also received a TDIU effective from May 2, 2012.,The decision grants the Veteran a higher rating for his PTSD and confirms he is eligible for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's back condition and right knee disability are granted as service-connected. The Veteran's headaches have been remanded for further evaluation.