Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is granted. The claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and right shoulder disability are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: the evaluation of the Veteran's cervical spine disability and service connection for his lumbar spine disability. The remand is due to insufficient evidence in both cases, requiring further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left wrist and back disabilities due to incomplete development. The Veteran asserts that his current left wrist disability is related to a fall in September 2001, which he attributes to his right knee or right ankle 'giving out'. For the back claim, the Veteran asserts that his back disability is caused by falls involving his right knee and/or right ankle.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right lower extremity plantar fasciitis, as well as unspecified lumbar spine disability due to insufficient evidence of a nexus between current disabilities and service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, IBS, hypertension, and low back disability have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims.,For sinusitis, the claim was previously denied due to lack of in-service diagnosis or treatment. The new evidence does not provide a clear link between current symptoms and service.

The Board has dismissed the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a low back disorder, and a psychiatric disorder due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development on multiple issues, including service connection claims and evaluations for various disabilities. The initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss prior to October 11, 2016 has been denied, as well as an evaluation in excess of 10 percent from that date onwards. Service connection for several disabilities is also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various hand, knee, ankle, and lower back disabilities due to incomplete development of records. The AOJ is instructed to obtain any outstanding VA treatment records related to the Veteran's claimed conditions and attempt to identify and obtain private treatment records.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right hip condition, low back pain, and left shoulder joint pain. The issues of service connection for these conditions are being remanded.

The Veteran's back condition, including degenerative disc disease and arthritis, has worsened since his last examination in November 2012. The Board finds that a new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar strain, right hip disorder, and right ankle disorder due to a lack of recent medical examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has remanded several claims for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and verifying the Veteran's alleged herbicide exposure during service.

The Board has granted service connection for a lower back disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is etiologically related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent prior to November 30, 2017, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine (DDD), as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU). The remand is due to incomplete VA examination reports and failure to comply with previous Board directives.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and neck disabilities due to a lack of current diagnosed conditions, and because additional records are needed. The Veteran will be asked to provide any relevant treatment records from the Department of Defense and Air Force.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection claims for back disability, left eye disability, hypertension, respiratory disability (due to presumed Camp Lejeune exposure), and diabetes mellitus was granted. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating, service connection for left knee and hip disabilities, and TDIU due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the reduction of his disability rating for lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome from 40 percent to 20 percent has been withdrawn, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to May 1, 2015 for the addition of his spouse to his VA compensation award was denied as he did not submit a completed VA Form 21-686(c) within one year of notification letters.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for further evaluation. The initial rating for adjustment disorder with anxiety remains denied, as does the request for a higher rating for cervical spine degenerative disc disease.