Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of his low back strain due to conflicting medical opinions and lack of recent VA treatment records. The Veteran is required to provide updated medical evidence, including from October 2013 onwards.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection on all issues except lumbar strain, which was granted. The remaining conditions were withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities: degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity. The reasons for this are that the most recent VA examination report is inadequate in several aspects.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a low back disorder. The case is REMANDED for further action.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been granted, with the exception of his claim for a compensable rating for left elbow olecranon bursitis. The remaining conditions are rated based on their current manifestations.

The Veteran's hypertension and diabetes are not rated higher than the current levels. The Board has remanded for further examination to determine if a back disorder is related to service, as well as an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his left knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities were so severe as to prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment since October 27, 2009. The Board has determined that the evidence of record demonstrates this and affords the benefit of doubt to grant a TDIU effective October 27, 2009.

The Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities are granted service connection. The respiratory disability is denied, and the left wrist and gastrointestinal disabilities are remanded for further evaluation.

A rating of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is granted as of August 4, 2016. A higher rating is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to the need for additional records from a Federal agency, specifically the Social Security Administration (SSA). The SSA may have relevant medical records that could help determine if the Veteran's memory and cognitive problems are related to his in-service injuries or jet fuel exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and conducting new VA examinations. The RO must reschedule missed VA examinations and ensure all notifications are sent to the correct address.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for low back, left knee, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claims are being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided that further development is needed before the Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating can be decided. This includes obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbar spine and left hip disabilities, as well as their impact on his ability to work.

The Veteran's right shoulder bursitis is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has remanded for further examination to determine if a higher rating is warranted. The lumbar paravertebral myositis remains rated at 10 percent, with the issue of entitlement to a higher rating also being remanded. The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent, and another VA examination is needed to assess their severity.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, increases in the staged ratings of his lumbar spine disability, and initial increases in the staged ratings of radiculopathy left lower extremity. The Board has remanded these issues.,Service connection was granted for radiculopathy left lower extremity secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for back disorder and right ear hearing loss, as well as the initial rating claim for left ear hearing loss due to in-service noise exposure. The Veteran is also requested to provide records from John Heinz Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine and undergo a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of VA examination and requests for another one during a flare-up. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is being evaluated again.

The claims for low back, left ankle, right ankle, and flat feet disabilities have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The Veteran's service-connected polyneuropathy is also being evaluated.

The Veteran's degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbar spine has been rated at 20 percent since January 13, 2006. The Board found that his current disability does not warrant a higher rating as it only allows for limitation of motion to forward flexion of 55 degrees.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the evidence does not support a link between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.