Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back and neck disabilities due to inadequate opinions in the VA examination reports. The Veteran is required to undergo further examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's application for VR&E benefits to pursue a Juris Doctor was denied because he has already received an MBA and is employable, despite having a service-connected lumbar spine disability. The Board found that the evidence did not reach a level of equipoise in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent disabling from January 28, 2010. The lumbosacral strain is rated at 100 percent disabling from the same date. Effective January 28, 2010, the Veteran also receives a 100 percent rating for his service-connected PTSD and SMC based on housebound.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, degenerative disc and spondylitic changes, bilateral leg condition, and bilateral metatarsus adductus due to a lack of medical documentation supporting the Veteran’s assertion that his symptoms began during service.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder arthritis but has remanded the issue of service connection for low back disability due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient examination reports and requests for additional information.

The Board has determined that an examination is necessary to determine the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability, which may be associated with service. The examiner must consider whether the condition is a congenital defect or disease and if it was aggravated by active duty service.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected, while his back disorder is denied.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran is denied a higher rating for tinnitus and hearing loss, but TDIU from April 1, 2011 to April 12, 2012 is granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the claims of service connection for various disabilities at a hearing before the Board.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, finding that there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation of a disease or injury and that the current condition is not related to active service. The Board also found that secondary service connection based on neuropathy could not be granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for a low back disability with left lower radiculopathy and PTSD, to include depression. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for further development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is granted, but his claim for service connection for lumbosacral spine disability is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a back disorder due to insufficient evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lower back disability is etiologically related to his active duty service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, right foot, and left foot conditions due to insufficient medical evidence. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine if his current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical radiculopathy in the right and left upper extremities, as well as lumbar radiculopathy in the right lower extremity, all secondary to the Veteran's service-connected cervical spondylosis and lumbar spondylosis. Service connection for asymptomatic coronary artery disease was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder is reopened, but the Board has determined that additional evidence and an examination are needed to determine if his current condition is related to his military service.