Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The claims for TDIU, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and increased rating for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine are being remanded due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is denied as it is not related to her military service.,Her left upper extremity neurological disability, claimed as carpal tunnel syndrome and trigger thumb, is granted as the preponderance of evidence supports a relationship with her military service.,Her right upper extremity neurological disability, claimed as carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger thumb, and residuals of a ganglion cyst removal, is also granted for similar reasons.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbosacral strain, intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis of the spine and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to outstanding VA and private treatment records that need to be obtained.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD with major depressive disorder, a back disorder, and an increased rating for herpes progenitalis from September 30, 2014 to September 29, 2015 have been granted. The effective date is set at the filing of the claim on September 30, 2015.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability is denied, and he is not entitled to TDIU based on schedular criteria. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's calluses and low back disorder were not related to service, and the evidence does not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology.,There is no credible supporting evidence that the Veteran experienced an in-service stressor for PTSD.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including headaches, surgical scars of the low back, right lower extremity radiculopathy, degenerative disc and joint disease of the low back, left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve), and PTSD. The remand includes obtaining updated VA treatment records, conducting new examinations to determine the nature and cause of the Veteran's disabilities, and providing a new rating for his service-connected PTSD.

The claim for a back disorder is granted, and the Veteran receives a rating of 50 percent from January 19, 2016. The right knee disorder claim remains denied. The PTSD claim is granted with an increased rating to 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back and left knee disabilities due to lack of a VA examination, incomplete medical records, and need for further analysis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his left shoulder, lumbar spine, and bilateral knee disabilities due to inadequate examination reports.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the claims. The Board has remanded the issues regarding positional obstructive sleep apnea and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The Veteran's claim for an extraschedular rating in excess of the additional 10 percent assigned for his thoracolumbar spine disability was denied. The Board found that the impairment caused by the service-connected condition is commensurate with no more than a 30% average impairment of earning capacity.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at the maximum of 20 percent, and a higher rating is denied as his forward flexion did not reach 30 degrees or show ankylosis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,Service connection claims for a low back condition, hysterectomy, migraine headaches, PTSD, and hypertension remain pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for lumbar DDD has been dismissed as she withdrew her claim prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), finding that there was no evidence of a current diagnosis or functional impairment affecting his earning capacity, and that OSA is more likely caused by obesity after service rather than in-service snoring.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and depression and anxiety, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of right eye injury, left eye loss of vision (now claimed as residuals of left eye knockout), cervical spine condition, and lumbar spine condition due to a lack of evidence showing current disabilities or a nexus to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, a low back condition secondary to shrapnel wounds incurred in service, and a gastrointestinal disorder secondary to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.,The Board found that there was no current diagnosis of fibromyalgia. The claim for a low back disability was denied as the evidence did not establish a causal relationship between the Veteran's current symptoms and an in-service shrapnel wound. The claim for a gastrointestinal disorder was also denied, with the Board noting that the Veteran had never been treated for this condition.,The Board concluded that there was no positive nexus between any of these conditions and service.