Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for bilateral hip disability and back disability due to inadequate examination in January 2014. Additional development is required, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling an appropriate examination.

The Veteran's right knee condition, lumbar degenerative disc disease with spondylolisthesis, and acne are all being remanded for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran is seeking increased ratings for her service-connected left knee patellofemoral syndrome and acne. The issues of secondary service connection for the right knee condition and lumbar degenerative disc disease with spondylolisthesis are also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable disability rating for hypertension has been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for service-connected Major Depressive Disorder prior to January 31, 2017 was denied as his symptoms did not warrant such a rating.,A 70 percent disability rating for service-connected Major Depressive Disorder from January 31, 2017 onwards has been granted. The Veteran's TDIU claim effective March 27, 2015 has also been granted.

The Board denied service connection for low back disorder, radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, and TDIU. The Board found no in-service injury or disease related to these conditions, and concluded that there was insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted service connection. The low back disability is rated at 20 percent. Bilateral hearing loss has not been established as related to service. Tinnitus has been found to be related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right knee disorder, psychiatric disorder, heart disorder, lumbar spine disorder, shoulder disorder, and sleep apnea, were denied as new and material evidence was not presented.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder strain, degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the cervical spine, and degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine due to inadequate opinions in the VA examinations.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals due to his withdrawal of all claims before the decision was made.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of arthritis of all joints. Service connection was granted for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and low back disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and gynecological disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to her active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a back disability and sleep apnea due to new and material evidence having been received. The Veteran's current diagnoses include sleep apnea, which is granted as service connected. For his back disability, an addendum opinion is needed from a VA examiner regarding its etiology.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right leg, left leg, right knee, left knee, and back disabilities.

The claim of service connection for a low back disability is reopened, but the secondary service connection to include as secondary to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities remains remanded due to inadequate medical opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional information and evidence, specifically SSA records.

The petition to reopen the claim of service connection for a back disability is granted. The issues of service connection for left and right ear hearing loss are remanded.

Service connection for hypertension, left shoulder injury, right shoulder injury, stroke, degenerative disk disease of the cervical spine (claimed as upper back and neck condition), and degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbosacral spine (claimed as back condition) is denied.,The Veteran's service connection claim for left shoulder injury and right shoulder injury is dismissed due to a pending legacy appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left hip condition and a back condition due to duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran was scheduled for hip arthroplasty and had symptoms of arthritis, but there is insufficient medical evidence regarding the etiology of his conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is rated at 20% prior to January 29, 2016 and in excess of 20% thereafter. The Veteran also meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for lumbosacral spine and cervical spine disabilities, finding no evidence of a direct link to service or aggravation by diabetes.,Service connection was also denied for an effective date prior to February 12, 2016 for the grant of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability.