Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to his active military service. The claim was reopened due to new and material evidence received since the last final rating decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the back was previously denied in September 2013. New evidence submitted since then does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a new VA examination due to previous examinations not complying with instructions. The case is also being readjudicated after obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling an examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for erectile dysfunction due to inadequate medical opinion. The Veteran's claim of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability was denied because the evidence did not show that her condition was incurred in service and due to willful misconduct.,Service connection for right shoulder, right elbow, and neck disabilities were also denied as there is no objective medical link between these conditions and service.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a back disability due to new evidence received since the last denial. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran also received a 10 percent rating for each of his right and left lower extremity radiculopathy conditions prior to January 15, 2015, and a 20 percent rating thereafter.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right shoulder disability, hypertrophic degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine (L3-L4), and left thigh condition to obtain additional medical opinions and service treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disability and bilateral foot condition due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left ear hearing loss and lumbar spine disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for an increased rating of lumbar degenerative joint and disc disease, which has been dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination. The claim was previously denied in July 1986, but new evidence has been submitted raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various conditions and ratings for certain disabilities. The specific issues include dental disorders, hearing loss, tinnitus, ear infections, sleep apnea, arm and elbow disorders, frostbite residuals, low back disorder, sciatic nerve disorder, psychiatric disorders, pes planus, gout in the lower extremities, bronchial asthma, and allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is remanded due to a duty to assist error in the July 2018 VA medical opinion regarding whether his fall during a November 2017 VA sleep study caused an additional disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back condition, bilateral knee arthritis, and right lower extremity nerve disorder as secondary to bilateral pes planus due to new evidence received after the July 2010 denial.

The Veteran's PFB is granted a 30% evaluation, and the claims for service connection of lumbar spine disability and left knee disability are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for further medical development. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further proceedings.

The Board denied the Veteran's attempt to reopen her claim of service connection for a low back disability, finding that new and material evidence was not received.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was denied.,The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for service connection of lumbar radiculitis, right lower extremity and left lower extremity were also denied.

The Board has denied a rating greater than 30 percent for left ventricular hypertrophy and has remanded the issues of service connection for low back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and TDIU.