Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's low back, left hip, and left leg disabilities are being reviewed again as secondary to a right ankle disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient development and need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with DISH syndrome.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbosacral strain with IVDS is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including range of motion testing in accordance with recent court decisions.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and tinnitus, but dismissed the remaining claims due to withdrawal of appeals by the Veteran's representative.

The Board has decided to remand the issue of service connection for a low back disability due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset and etiology. The Veteran's lay statements about in-service injuries are considered, but further medical examination is needed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disability, initial increased ratings for PTSD, and special monthly compensation based on being permanently housebound prior to October 12, 2005. The issues are related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions and need further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The initial 10% evaluation for tension headaches was granted, but the higher evaluations requested for PTSD and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine were not granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected right knee, left knee, and low back disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations to address flare-ups.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to February 7, 2011 for the grant of service connection for a back disability was denied. The Board found that there was no clear and unmistakable error in the March 1989 rating decision that initially denied service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lower back condition is related to an in-service injury, and therefore service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and a compensable rating are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a VA examination regarding the functional impairment resulting from his service-connected disabilities, including back disorder, shoulder disorders, and prostate cancer. The examiner must assess the combined effects of these conditions on his employability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical spine and upper extremity disabilities have been denied. The current evaluations of 20 percent are appropriate.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims, and thus the claims were not reopened or granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The decision also granted special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114 (s) from November 21, 2011.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis and low back degenerative arthritis. The appeal regarding right ear pain and headaches is remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding its onset and relationship to service.

The Veteran was granted service connection for various conditions in August 2001. He appealed to have his son added as a dependent effective from the date of his initial claim, which is August 1, 2001.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, left foot disorder (plantar fasciitis), and shin splints. Service connection was granted for the Veteran's plantar fasciitis but not for her claimed shin splints or sarcoidosis.

The Veteran's appeal regarding a rating in excess of 20 percent for cervical strain is remanded due to the need for an updated VA examination. The issues have not been certified to the Board yet.