Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for lower back disability and found that a current disability is present, but denied service connection as there was no evidence linking the current condition to military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disability with sciatica, bladder disability, and prostate disability as secondary to his service-connected postoperative hemorrhoids with fissures.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities due to insufficient development and examination.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any lumbar spine disorder, including whether it is related to service. The Veteran's claim for service connection will be remanded.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a low back disability due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand instructions. The case is returned for further development and an addendum VA opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate examinations and missing VA treatment records. The claims are now pending with the AOJ for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of his lumbar spine and right knee disabilities, as well as his respiratory disability. The claims are being returned to VA for further development.

The Veteran's claims have been remanded due to the need for additional development and examination. The appeals are related to his PTSD, bilateral shoulder disabilities, and back disability.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected.,The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if there are any additional periods of Reserve service that need to be verified, and to obtain VA examinations to address the etiology of the low back disability, right knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, lumbar degenerative disc disease, and headaches due to potential service connection issues.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy, as well as his TDIU claim, are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for earlier effective date of October 5, 1994 for bilateral hip disability is denied. The issues of service connection for low back disability and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded due to missing medical records.

The Veteran's right knee, left knee, and back conditions are granted service connection. The bilateral hip condition and acquired psychiatric condition are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an examination to determine if the Veteran's low back disorder, including degenerative disc disease (DDD), is related to his active service. The claims for diabetes mellitus and a sleep disorder remain denied.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for right hip, left knee, and right knee disorders as they are inextricably intertwined with the claim for a lumbar spine disorder. The Veteran's testimony indicates that his current conditions may be related to his military service or directly caused by his lumbar spine condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and completing a VA Form 21-8940.

The Board has found that the VA examinations conducted following the remand were inadequate and requires further examination to determine if the Veteran's hernia, arthritis of both shoulders, low back disorder, and neck disorder are related to her military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a chronic back disorder, psychiatric disorder, and hypertension due to insufficient evidence of record. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases of entitlement to a TDIU and an increased rating for PTSD due to their inextricability. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is linked to his TDIU claim, so both need to be addressed together.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that his pre-existing condition was aggravated by his military service.