Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to missing treatment records and the need for a medical opinion regarding ankylosis of the cervical spine, which could affect the Veteran's claim for a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to deficiencies in prior VA examinations and the need for additional medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity that they prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and the Board has determined that his TDIU application is granted as of December 16, 2016.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease was granted a 40% disability rating from March 1, 2007 to October 20, 2009. The appeal for higher ratings is denied for the periods of October 21, 2009 to April 18, 2012 and January 30, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and right shoulder impingement syndrome, finding that these conditions are related to in-service injuries. The Veteran's current symptoms have been found to be at least as likely as not caused by her military service.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent from October 9, 2012 to September 12, 2016. The Board has remanded the issues of increased ratings for his lower extremity radiculopathy and left knee disability, as well as service connection for residuals of a head injury.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate VA examinations and medical opinions. The issues of service connection for left wrist disability, right knee disability, and initial rating for low back pain and bulging disc with foraminal stenosis, lumbar spine are all being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability, finding that there was no causal relationship between his current condition and his active military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient VA medical records, specifically a visit to a VA emergency room and an MRI report from three months prior to the hearing. The Veteran's representative requested these records for consideration in a medical opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a left lower extremity disability, finding no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development due to the submission of new medical evidence, including VA treatment records and private treatment records. The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions such as amenorrhea, polycystic ovarian syndrome, a bilateral breast disability, acne, back disability, right knee disability, right ear disability, and right wrist disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete information and need for additional medical opinions. The issues include an acquired psychiatric disability, lumbar spine disorder, left hip disorder, left knee disorder, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and an examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The right ear hearing loss claim is granted, but the lower back disability and left ear hearing loss claims are sent back for additional development.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for shortness of breath, PTSD, a low back disability, and hepatitis C are not addressed in this decision.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of the Veteran's back disability and right ear hearing loss for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling appropriate examinations.

The Veteran requested to withdraw the appeal of their claim for an increased rating for a cervical spine disability, and the Board has dismissed this issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar discogenic disease, left basal discoid atelectasis, and elongated thoracic aorta are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

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 military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's service connection claims, including for her respiratory disability (asthma and lung nodules), neck disability, low back disability, and muscle/joint disorder. The Board also remanded the Veteran's increased rating claims for sinusitis, headaches, and PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims due to an incomplete record from Reynolds ACH for the period of 2003-2008, and the need to notify the Veteran and his representative if any requested records are unavailable.