Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's low back disability was granted a 40 percent rating effective August 2, 2014. His neck sprain received a separate 10 percent rating.,Left lower extremity radiculopathy was granted service connection and rated separately from the low back disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for a bilateral hand/wrist neurological disorder, low back disorder, neck disorder, hemorrhoids, and tinnitus due to incomplete medical records and the need for VA examinations.

The Board granted service connection for a back condition, cervical strain (neck condition), and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The conditions are considered to be directly related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran's left knee DJD and instability, as well as his lumbar spine disability, are all granted with specific ratings. The left knee DJD is rated at 10% from November 20, 2008 to December 3, 2018, and the lumbar spine disability remains at 20%. The Veteran's meniscus tear and instability each receive a separate 10% rating.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and remanded the issue of entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine, left knee, right knee, left foot, and right foot disabilities. Service connection is denied for low back, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities.,Service connection was granted based on the Veteran's credible reports of in-service injuries and continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded other issues due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with lumbar stenosis and multi-level degenerative disc disease, bilateral hearing loss, asthma, and hypothyroidism is denied. The issues of service connection for these conditions are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate development and lack of adequate VA opinions. The Veteran's claims will be reviewed again with proper documentation and medical examination.

The Veteran's initial 10 percent rating for right hand finger laceration, residual scar is granted. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The remaining service connection claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right knee disabilities, depression, and arthritis of the lumbar spine. The claims are now remanded to determine if these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, neck disability, headaches, and neurological disabilities of the bilateral lower extremities. The left shoulder disability claim was remanded but no VA examination has been provided.,Service connection is not granted for the Veteran's claimed conditions as there is insufficient evidence to establish a link between his current condition and service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that it is at least in equipoise with his claim. The issue of secondary service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection of a low back disability, finding that there is an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding whether the current condition was caused by service. The Board also found no new material evidence in the September 2006 rating decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis due to trauma, a low back condition, and a cervical spine condition. The evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions began during active service or was related to an in-service injury.,There is no medical evidence linking the current diagnosed conditions to service.

The Board has denied service connection for lumbar muscle sprain and dismissed the issue of service connection for bronchial asthma. The case is remanded for a VA examination to determine if acid reflux was incurred in service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's spine pain, headaches, gastritis, and psychiatric disability due to outstanding VA treatment records and inadequate opinions. The Veteran is also required to undergo further examinations for his spine, headaches, gastritis, and psychiatric conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, increased ratings for PTSD and lumbar spine disability, and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to outstanding VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and incomplete records. The Veteran will need to provide updated VA treatment records, SSA disability determination records, and an examination by a psychologist or psychiatrist to determine the nature of her psychiatric disabilities. An orthopedic examination is also needed to assess the etiology of her low back, left shoulder, right knee, and right ankle disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence submitted since his original claim decisions. The claims are now pending and will be reviewed again with a focus on obtaining medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the claimed disabilities.