Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability is reopened, and the case is remanded for further development including a VA examination. The cases regarding increased rating for dermatitis and earlier effective date are also remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating for degenerative disc disease lumbar spine with subluxation L5-S1.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disease and congenital spinal stenosis are associated with his active service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's back condition and its relationship to service, specifically whether it was aggravated by an in-service injury.

The Board has decided to remand the service connection claims for various disabilities, including low back, neck, knee, ankle, and foot injuries sustained during military service. The Veteran's contentions include injuries from falling off helicopters and hitting his head and back in 1999, as well as knee and ankle injuries in 2000. VA is instructed to schedule the Veteran for an examination to determine if these disabilities are related to his service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings were dismissed due to his death. The case is referred back to the AOJ for substitution of claimant.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for PTSD and granted service connection, but denied claims for cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was previously rated at 10 percent prior to March 25, 2015. The evidence does not show that the Veteran’s range of motion was limited to less than 60 degrees, which would support a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for cervical spine disability and service connection for a right shoulder condition are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including new VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were submitted in December 2015, but the AOJ must attempt to locate and transfer any earlier VA treatment records from July 2013 to June 2014. The case is remanded due to incomplete evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for higher disability ratings for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and left upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's current cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are permanently aggravated by his service-connected left shoulder and right knee disabilities, respectively. The VA examiners' opinions do not address whether there was an incremental increase in disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine and right knee disabilities are remanded due to inadequate previous examinations. The Board requires additional VA examinations to assess the severity of his conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's back and knee conditions were aggravated by his service-connected right knee condition or altered gait. The claims are also remanded for obtaining updated VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain a new VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional back disability due to VA treatment resulting in him falling on his back in October 2016.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine, claimed as lower back pain, was reopened. Service connection is granted for this condition based on direct evidence showing a current disability related to active duty service.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's death, and no service connection was granted or denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lower back condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder. The claims are being returned to VA for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including tinnitus and back disability, stomach disorder, right knee disorder, liver disorder, skin lesions (other than the already service-connected right ear cyst), hypothyroidism, and diabetes mellitus. The reasons given were that there was no evidence of these conditions during active duty or until many years after separation.