Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received to reopen the claim of service connection for a lower back condition. The Veteran's current back condition is found to be at least in equipoise with being related to his in-service injury, thus granting service connection.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for his lumbar spine disability and TDIU claim are both remanded due to the need for a new VA examination. The issues include evaluating the severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability, as well as determining if he is unemployable due to his disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain has been granted a 40 percent rating, effective from the date of this decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and service connection due to new evidence indicating that the Veteran's disabilities have worsened.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and tinnitus, but granted a higher rating of 70 percent for PTSD effective from August 30, 2017. The appeal regarding sleep apnea was denied.

The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection of a right shoulder disability is granted. Service connection for a right shoulder disability is also granted. The claim for an increased rating for low back strain, degenerative arthritis, and IVDS is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, right ankle disorder, left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, back disability, and PTSD. The decision was based on the lack of new and material evidence for BHL and the absence of diagnosed disabilities in other areas.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not entitled to a TDIU prior to March 1, 2013 due to his voluntary retirement and inconsistent employment history.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various knee and hip disabilities, as well as a low back disability due to insufficient rationale in previous VA examination reports. The Veteran is required to undergo additional VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was restored to a 20 percent evaluation effective December 8, 2017. Service connection for bilateral knee disabilities is granted.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition did not start during or as a result of his military service.

The Board has dismissed the issues of service connection for low back disorder, lower extremity neurological impairment secondary to a low back disorder, arthritis of multiple joints, bilateral lower extremity arthralgia, and bilateral foot impairment. The issues of service connection for intestinal blockage and gastroesophageal reflux disease have been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection and increased rating of his lumbosacral spine disability, as well as bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, is being remanded. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting evidence and need for further examination. The issues include right knee disorder, headaches, right shoulder disorder, dizziness and fainting spells, low back disorder, and left leg shin splints.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of left hand condition, right hand condition, hypertension, diabetes, and left leg condition are dismissed. The claim for reopening of a low back condition is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim for a low back condition due to insufficient explanation in the August 2017 denial and need for clarification. Additional records are requested, and a VA opinion is needed from an examiner other than the previous ones.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and missing records. The VA must obtain relevant treatment records, conduct new examinations, and provide adequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted a rating of 40 percent, effective from June 19, 2015.,Service connection for insomnia secondary to the Veteran's low back disability is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate examination reports. The VA examiner was not able to provide specific degrees of motion in each state and did not estimate the additional loss of range of motion upon flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is related to his service, specifically a June 1967 injury. The VA needs to verify the Veteran's ACDUTRA/INACDUTRA status and obtain all relevant medical records.