Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability, finding that her condition did not meet the criteria for such an increase.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability. The Veteran is also advised to provide any relevant private medical evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for back disorder, headache disorder, and hemorrhoids due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's statements of in-service injuries and continuous symptoms are considered.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for migraines was denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Service connection for back disability and prostate cancer were both remanded due to insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has denied service connection for a cervical spine condition, but granted service connection for multilevel degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.,An initial compensable rating is remanded for the Veteran to be examined and evaluated for his traumatic brain injury.

The Veteran's service-connected coccidioidomycosis and left chest scars do not render him unable to care for his daily needs without the regular aid and attendance of another person. The Board finds that he is in need of aid and attendance due to nonservice-connected conditions, including amyloidosis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting medical records and a need for additional information from Social Security Administration (SSA) regarding the Veteran's back disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches, low back pain, and PTSD were denied in a June 2009 rating decision. The appeals have been remanded.,New evidence received since the June 2009 denial has reopened the claim for service connection of PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee instability and degenerative joint disease, as well as a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting any of these increased ratings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for initial ratings and TDIU due to insufficient evidence regarding his current disability levels. The VA will provide new examinations to assess his lumbar spine disability with bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and adjudicate the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has decided to remand the case due to new evidence being added since the last decision. The claims for service connection and rating will be reconsidered in light of this additional information.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to outstanding military personnel records and inpatient hospital records from Frankfurt, Germany. The Veteran's STRs have been obtained, but there is no record of any inpatient hospitalization or investigation into an August 1976 motor vehicle accident.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional evidentiary development and a functional assessment of her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's low back disability has not been manifested by unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, and therefore a rating in excess of 40 percent is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, diagnosed as lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis. The condition is considered to be etiologically related to active duty service.

The case is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding private treatment records from Palestine Regional Medical Center.

The Veteran's NODs regarding lumbar strain, tinea versicolor, and radiculopathy were granted. The Veteran's hysterectomy, breast reduction, bilateral carpal tunnel release, and right-hand burn scars are rated at a combined 40 percent.

The Board has remanded the service connection claim for a low back condition due to insufficient evidence and need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The case was remanded due to substantial compliance with the Board’s previous directives.