Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's back condition and radiculopathy of the lower extremities are not rated higher than their current levels, with some issues remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for neck strain and low back disability, finding that the current diagnoses are related to service. The issues of CUE in a December 1980 decision denying service connection for ruptured muscle, right groin, and service connection for hypertension have been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his lumbar spine DDD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability. The case is remanded for further development and an examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left elbow condition, lower back condition, and bilateral hip condition due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further medical examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, bilateral hip and leg pain, and PTSD. The Board found that there was no evidence of chronic conditions manifesting within one year of discharge or continuity of symptomatology. The Board also found no medical link between the current disabilities and service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to missing service treatment records and inadequate VA examination reports. The claims of service connection for various disabilities are not fully developed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, including scoliosis and degenerative disc disease, as well as radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities. The VA examinations provided were inadequate, and additional development is needed to address these issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition to include a herniated disc of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine as secondary to his service-connected costochondritis of the right ribs. The Board found that there was no evidence linking the Veteran’s current back conditions to his military service or to his service-connected costochondritis.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence to corroborate the Veteran's statements of an in-service injury during parachuting, and a need for additional documentation such as unit histories and specific findings regarding parachute training.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequacies in prior VA examinations and the need for updated evaluations.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to the need for updated clinical records and examinations of the Veteran's service-connected left Achilles tendon injury, lumbosacral strain, and eustachian tube dysfunction.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various conditions such as cervical spine disability, fibromyalgia, bilateral knee and hip disabilities, sleep apnea, headaches, and digestive disorders. The reasons for these remands include insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the claimed conditions and the Veteran's military service.,The issues of service connection are being addressed due to a lack of sufficient evidence or reasoning provided by VA examiners in previous examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck, back, right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left ankle disorders due to an in-service fall. The Veteran asserts that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an initial rating of 70 percent, effective September 19, 2018. The appeals for right knee disability, deviated nasal septum, sinusitis, and thoracolumbar spine spondylosis and lumbar strain are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a back condition has been reopened due to new and material evidence. The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and providing an opinion on the etiology of his back condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of medical records and private medical records from Dr. Nguyen and Dr. Li.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from February 16, 2016, to September 10, 2017. The TDIU is granted during this period and the appeal for a temporary total evaluation due to hernia repair is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for residuals of a TBI, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a low back condition due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of these conditions. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to service.