Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, high cholesterol, hypothyroidism, and an acquired psychiatric disability (Bipolar Disorder and Depressive Disorder) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.,Service connection was not granted as there is no clear and unmistakable evidence that any condition preexisted service.

The claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The cases are now remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded as the necessary examinations have not been conducted and he has not completed a VA Form 21-8940.

The Veteran's back pain has increased in severity since her last VA examination. She is being asked to report for a new VA examination to assess the current severity and manifestations of her service-connected lumbar retrolisthesis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine and right knee disabilities due to insufficient consideration of his Reserve service, including jump training. The Veteran should be provided with a new examination considering all evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% and the DDD of the lumbar spine is remanded for further evaluation. The decision on service connection for PTSD is granted, but not for the DDD.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher initial ratings and effective dates due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate December 2017 VA examination and opinion regarding loss of use of both feet. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are being evaluated for their impact on her ability to use adaptive equipment or a vehicle.

The Veteran's claims for low back, left knee, and psychiatric disabilities are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence that relates to a previously unestablished fact necessary to substantiate his claims. The claims will be addressed on their merits.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings on several service-connected conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and ensuring compliance with VA regulations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral hearing loss disability, and lower back disorder due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition was not incurred in or related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar strain is related to his active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee arthritis, back condition, left ankle sprain condition and secondary arthritis, and sleep apnea secondary to PTSD due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for tinnitus has been denied as the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent is already assigned.,The Board has remanded several issues including service connection and ratings for various disabilities due to a duty to assist error prior to the May 2018 RAMP opt-in.,Issues include left eye occipital neuralgia, lower extremity sciatica, upper extremity radiculopathy, herpes simplex virus, adjustment disorder with anxiety/depression, migraine headaches, sleep apnea, stroke/vertebral artery dissection, thoracolumbar strain, cervical strain, and scars from hernia repair.,The Veteran's service connection claims for lower and upper extremity sciatica and radiculopathy are remanded due to a duty to assist error prior to the May 2018 RAMP opt-in. VA treatment records need to be obtained from non-VA providers.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Parkinson’s disease and a lumbar spine disability, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between the current disabilities and active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disability, acquired psychiatric disability, and residuals of a sexually transmitted disease due to incomplete medical records and the need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, left and right ankle disabilities, and bilateral hearing loss are service-connected. However, due to insufficient evidence regarding his current bilateral hearing loss and a lack of examination for his lumbar spine disability, as well as ongoing issues with increased ratings for his ankles, the case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and treatment.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted service connection, while his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine remains at a 20% rating.