Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for thoracolumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The case is being returned for an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including headaches, bilateral knee disorder, bilateral shoulder disorder, back disorder, and neck disorder. The issues are related to whether these conditions had onset in or are otherwise related to active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and TDIU due to inappropriately conducted examinations and raised issues that are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's back disability resulted in a schedular rating of 20 percent prior to July 15, 2011. The claim for an increased rating is granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back condition and granted it, finding that there is evidence to support a nexus between his in-service injury and current disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further proceedings due to a lack of compliance with VA examination requirements and the need to consider VA treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional evidence, including Social Security Administration (SSA) records and updated VA and non-VA medical records.

The Board has denied service connection for stroke, back condition, right foot condition, right hand condition, left hand condition, hypertension, and migraine headaches as they are not shown to be related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disorder, Lyme disease, insomnia, and migraines/headaches due to the need for VA examinations.

Service connection for right ear hearing loss, back disorder, left knee disorder, and right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted.

The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU, but the case is remanded for issuance of a Statement of the Case regarding an earlier effective date for additional dependency allowance for a spouse.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disorder, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his right knee disability, and an initial compensable rating for his left ankle disability due to insufficient information provided by VA examiners.

The appeal is remanded due to the need for updated VA and private treatment records, as well as a current examination of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left shoulder and low back disorders due to insufficient compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and erectile dysfunction is also remanded as a statement of the case has not yet been issued.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia and PTSD. The claims are now remanded to obtain additional evidence and examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20% since February 22, 2013. The Board has granted an initial rating of 20% for the lumbar spine disability beginning February 22, 2013. However, other issues such as service connection for a spleen disability and right knee disability are remanded due to lack of proper examination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded as he has not been provided proper notification and updated VA examinations are needed to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for prostate disorder and lumbar spine disorder due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran is required to undergo new examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the severity of his lumbar strain and left lower extremity radiculopathy, including during flare-ups.