Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 40 percent, but no higher, throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for low back and right hip disabilities have been reopened, and the Board has granted service connection for a low back disability. The right hip condition claim is remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to his failure to appear for VA examinations. The appeals are now pending again.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, right and left lumbar radiculopathy, and awarded a 30 percent rating for sinusitis. The Veteran's sinusitis is currently rated as noncompensable.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for neck disability and low back disability due to conflicting evidence and need for additional development.

The Board has dismissed the claims of whether the AOJ applied the proper compensation rate to an award of a combined 60 percent disability rating and entitlement to service connection for sinus bradycardia with dizziness. The remaining claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's back disability is restored to a 20% rating effective November 6, 2019. The previous reduction from 20% to 10% was found to be improper.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disability and its relationship to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has granted service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the right base and lateral aspect of the tongue. The claim for reopening of service connection for low back disability is remanded due to new evidence suggesting a possible in-service injury. Service connection for hypertension and coronary artery disease are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the VA examination report and the need for additional evidence. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but he seeks a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board found that there is no credible evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, right hip, and left hip disorders have been reopened.,Service connection was denied for hypertension as there is no evidence of an in-service incident.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis is granted as service connected. The issues of service connection for a left hip condition and low back condition are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability was denied. The RO continued a 10 percent rating prior to August 12, 2019 and granted an increased rating of 20 percent effective August 12, 2019.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for a higher rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability due to insufficient information provided by the VA examinations. The Veteran will need to undergo another examination to provide details on the severity of his condition and its impact.

The Veteran's appeal for fibromyalgia and lower back disability has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted as it is at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's back disorder, specifically his claim that it is related to an in-service slip and fall injury. The VA will need to obtain additional medical records and conduct a new examination to determine if the Veteran's current back condition is service-connected.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete service records and the need for further verification of his National Guard and Army Reserve service. The Veteran is seeking service connection for various disabilities, including ankle pain, knee disabilities, hand scars, back disability, chest pain, elbow disability, finger fracture, cervico brachial syndrome, and headache.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for DDD of the low back, service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to service-connected back disorder, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and bipolar disorder.