Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board dismissed the appeals for various disability ratings as the appellant requested withdrawal of these appeals.

The Veteran's application to reopen their claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disorder has been granted. The issues of service connection for cervical spine disorder, cervical radiculopathy, and gynecological disorder are also being considered.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability and hypertension. The claims are remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine if any diagnosed conditions are related to ACDUTRA service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability is related to his active service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and lumbar radiculopathy, is related to service. As a result, the claim for service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded two issues related to the Veteran's right knee and lumbar strain due to insufficient evidence from a previous examination, including lack of information on current symptomology and functional loss.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims for service connection can be adjudicated on the merits. This includes obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new and material evidence, as well as other issues related to his PTSD claim. The VA is instructed to obtain all relevant records, including SSA records, and schedule a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and rating determinations. The Veteran's tinnitus remains rated at 10 percent, a compensable rating for his left leg scar is needed, and the VA will conduct new examinations to determine the etiology of any hearing loss, psychiatric disorders, back disabilities, knee disabilities, and cephalgia.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's low back and right elbow disabilities due to lack of an opinion on whether they are related to service. The hearing transcript indicates the Veteran claims his injuries occurred while working as a track vehicle mechanic in Kuwait and Iraq.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his lumbar spine disorder and for updated VA treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's preexisting lower back condition was aggravated during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, thus the TDIU claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for staged evaluations of his service-connected lumbar spondylosis with spondylolisthesis with spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease, radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, and TDIU. The issues are being returned to the AOJ for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for a low back disorder and an increased rating for headache disorder. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disorder is reopened, but his current headache disorder remains at a 30% disability rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection, TDIU, and SMC due to a conflict in medical evidence regarding his thoracolumbar spine disorder. The Veteran will be scheduled for an independent medical examination to determine the nature and etiology of his thoracolumbar spine disorder.

The Board has determined that the reduction of ratings for lumbar spondylosis with scoliosis, bilateral hip bursitis with limitation of extension from 20 to 10 percent effective December 1, 2015 was not proper. The case is being remanded for further development and re-adjudication.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including heat stroke, sleep apnea, hip disorders, hypertension, and prostate cancer, were denied. The Board found no current diagnoses or in-service events that would support these claims.

Your claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and lumbar strain have been granted in a previous rating decision, so there is no longer an issue to appeal.

The Board has denied service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service. Service connection was granted for hearing loss.