Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, back disorder, and migraine headaches. Service connection was granted for tinnitus.

The Board has remanded both issues for further development, including providing the Veteran with a VA examination that complies with the requirements in Sharp v. Shulkin and Correia.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, but denied service connection for hypertension and a back disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for lower back strain with degenerative disc disease was remanded due to confusion regarding the severity of his radicular symptoms. The matter is being remanded again for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine strain is remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. A new examination is needed to assess the current severity and functional loss.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40% and his cervical spine disability was reduced from 30% to 10%. The reduction in the cervical spine rating was denied as improper.

The Board has remanded three issues related to service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and its associated radiculopathy. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed due to insufficient review of his medical records and lack of supporting rationale in the previous examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were reopened and granted. Service connection was established for lumbar spine disability, but denied for post-traumatic headaches and right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for headaches, sinusitis, and a lumbar spine disorder (claimed as a curved spine) are being remanded due to the need for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has allowed the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for lower back disorder, bilateral hearing loss disorder, tinnitus, and skin disorder on the feet. The appeals are remanded due to the need for further medical examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, bilateral knee disabilities, and lumbar spine disability due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder has been reopened. The Board has found that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disorder. However, the appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his claims for secondary service connection for right hip, left hip, and low back disorders.

The Veteran's back disability and associated bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy have been remanded for further evaluation due to reported symptomatology changes. A VA examination is needed to assess the current nature and severity of these disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for muscle/joint pain disorder, back disorder, neck disorder, fibromyalgia, and GERD have been granted. The claim for service connection for muscle/joint pain disorder was reopened due to new evidence relating to a current disability. Service connection has been established for the other conditions based on direct evidence of their existence during service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain additional medical records. The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, bruxism, higher initial ratings for his psychiatric disorder, and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine if the appellant requires aid and assistance due to her disabilities, which may affect her need for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or housebound rate.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than May 11, 2011 for service connection are denied.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and a back scar are remanded.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected back and right knee disabilities due to a lack of recent VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of the right hand, arm and shoulder in November 1970. The Veteran's claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.,Service connection was also denied for thoracolumbar spine disability and cervical spine disability, both related to rheumatoid arthritis.

The Veteran's right shoulder labral tear with instability is granted a rating of 20 percent effective November 18, 2013. The Veteran’s tinnitus is rated at the maximum allowable under Diagnostic Code 6260. The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. New and material evidence has been received to reopen claims of service connection for respiratory condition (to include asthma and bronchitis) and bilateral eye disability (keratoconus).