Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of a cervical spine disorder. The issue of reopening service connection for a lumbar spine disorder was granted, and the remanded issue of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder is pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back and bilateral knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence in the record. The case is being returned for further development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, secondary to her service-connected bilateral knee condition, has been remanded. The examiner will assess whether the current hip condition is related to obesity caused by her service-connected knee disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hip condition, which she alleges is secondary to her service-connected bilateral knee condition, has also been remanded. The examiner will determine if the hip condition is proximately due to or aggravated beyond its natural progression by any service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of compliance with VA examination requirements in the August 2018 decision. A new VA examination is needed to address any functional loss during flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus, low back condition, left and right ankle disabilities, bilateral knee conditions, and bilateral hearing loss due to potential issues with the adequacy of previous VA examinations.

The Veteran's GERD is not related to service and was not diagnosed until after service.,The Veteran's lower back disability did not have its onset in service or since, and is not linked to his service-connected PTSD.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. The condition may be exacerbated by the Veteran's nightmares related to his PTSD.,The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of left ear hearing loss for VA purposes.

The Board has decided that more information is needed to determine if the Veteran's back disability, including degenerative disc disease, was incurred or aggravated during his periods of active service or ACDUTRA/INACDUTRA. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection related to intervertebral disc syndrome, bilateral leg pain, major depressive disorder, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, tension headaches, and left shoulder strain must be remanded due to inadequate examination reports and need for further development.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than March 14, 2018 for the initial grant of 40 percent evaluation for lumbar strain with intervertebral disc syndrome and for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to a lumbar strain with IVDS have been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities, as well as his low back disability, are rated at the lowest possible levels. The Board has remanded these issues for further development.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the appellant's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar degenerative joint disease, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the previously denied claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for back and right knee disorders were denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasoning in a previous VA examination regarding whether the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. A new VA examination is needed to address these issues.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has determined that new evidence was received since the last decision and has remanded both issues of service connection for a back disability and an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD) to allow for consideration of this new evidence.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was evaluated as 10 percent disabling from January 15, 2011, to March 31, 2013, and as 40 percent disabling since April 1, 2013. The Board denied a higher rating for the disability.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae has been dismissed. The Board also remanded the issues of right knee disability, back disability, and hemorrhoids.

The Board denied service connection for an eye disorder and a low back disorder, finding that the current conditions are not related to active service.