Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and back disability have been granted, with the PTSD claim being reopened based on new evidence and the back disability claim being granted as well.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records, specifically missing service treatment records from his periods of active duty. The Veteran is advised that he may file a claim for an increased rating for his service-connected cervical spine disability if desired.

The Board has remanded the claims of a higher rating for arthritis of the lumbar spine, a compensable rating for residuals of fracture of the right tibia and fibula, and a compensable rating for hypertension due to missing VA treatment records from April 2014 to December 2015. The appellant will be given an opportunity to respond after these records are obtained.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations for his right shoulder, lumbar spine, and right knee disabilities due to inadequate examinations. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and left knee disabilities are related to his service, including multiple parachute jumps. As a result, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions and lay statements regarding the onset of various conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent for right lower extremity sciatica was dismissed as service connection had been severed due to overlapping symptomatology. The appeals for residuals of prostate cancer and degenerative joint/disc disease of the lumbar spine are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a pinched nerve in the low back due to his service-connected lumbar spine disability is dismissed as moot because he has already been granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, skin disorders, and a disability rating higher than 10 percent for a headache disorder due to new evidence or medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's employability and his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities. The case will be returned for further development, including an examination of the Veteran's mental health and cognitive abilities.

The Board has denied an increased rating for hypertension and remanded the claim for lumbosacral strain to include sciatica and DDD due to insufficient evidence regarding the severity of the appellant's thoracolumbar disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disability. The issues of service connection for a back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus remain unresolved.

The Board has denied reopening the claims for service connection of left knee, neck and low back disabilities due to lack of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left heel spurs, left ankle disorder, hypertension, and thoracolumbar spine disorder have been denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or medical nexus to current diagnoses.

The Board has granted service connection for low back and right hip disabilities, but denied service connection for right leg and left leg disabilities. The low back and right hip disabilities are considered to be related to the Veteran's in-service injuries.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 10 percent, as the evidence does not show flexion of less than 60 degrees or combined range of motion less than 120 degrees.,For the psychiatric disability prior to April 7, 2017, a rating in excess of 30 percent is denied. The Veteran's symptomatology has been consistent with that identified at the April 7, 2017 examination and most closely contemplated by occupational and social impairment with reduction in reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's appeal of the pseudofolliculitis barbae claim has been withdrawn and dismissed. The low back pain claim is remanded for further action.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is rated at 30 percent, and his lumbar strain is rated at 30 percent. The combined rating of both conditions is 70 percent, which meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's chronic lumbar strain and because his SSA records are missing. The claim will be reconsidered with new evidence.