Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability, including degenerative arthritis. The Veteran is asked to provide authorization for his chiropractor records and VA treatment records are sought.

The Veteran's claim for left ankle disability is reopened, and the case is remanded for a new examination to determine if his current left ankle disability is related to service. The case for increased evaluation of lumbar strain is also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a right hip disability, left knee disability, and acquired low back disability. The claims were remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for her lumbar spine disability from May 23, 2008 to February 4, 2014 was denied as the evidence did not show forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected thoracic spondylosis, arthritis, and chronic low back strain are currently rated at 40 percent for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including major depressive disorder, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, and coronary artery disease, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. His claim for service connection for coronary artery disease is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides in Thailand.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were remanded due to incomplete or insufficient evidence. The lumbar spine disability was rated at 20 percent, bilateral knee disabilities at 10 percent, right ankle disability at 10 percent, tinnitus at 10 percent, and migraine disability at noncompensable. Service connection for elbow, hand, left ankle, IBS, GERD, upper extremity nerve disorder, and lower extremity nerve disorder were denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar and thoracic spine disabilities due to insufficient development of records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left hip degenerative joint disease, lumbar and sacroiliac joints degenerative joint disease, and cervical spondylosis were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for further examination and evaluation. The issues include bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, carpal tunnel of the upper extremities, cervical spine disability, and shoulder disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues for a VA examination and opinion regarding service connection for thoracolumbar spine disability, including whether any current conditions are related to service or aggravated by pre-existing scoliosis.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, bilateral foot condition, right ankle condition, and left ankle condition have been reopened. The claim for back disability has not been reopened.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a back disability was denied as there is no probative medical evidence that indicates the Veteran’s current lumbar spine disability was incurred in service. The Veteran's PTSD claim for an increased rating to over 50% since June 4, 2013, was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in previous medical opinions and a need for a new VA examination to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed low back disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, finding that her current condition is not related to her active duty service and is more likely age-related changes. The secondary service connection claim was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back condition and left inguinal hernia. The decision found no new and material evidence to reopen the low back condition claim, and determined that there is no current diagnosis of a left inguinal hernia or residuals.

The Board has decided to remand the issue of service connection for a back disability due to the Veteran's failure to report for an examination. The case will be returned for further action, including scheduling a new VA examination and obtaining any outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The case is REMANDED to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration of whether entitlement to an extra-schedular TDIU is warranted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been received. The claims are now pending before the AOJ for further development.