Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as secondary to her service-connected temporomandibular joint syndrome. Her hypertension and acne are denied due to lack of evidence showing a current disability or aggravation beyond its natural progression. The back and right knee disabilities, as well as the skin condition (eczema or dermatitis), are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left elbow disability did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise related to a disease or injury incurred in service. The claim for service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examinations and failure to consider all relevant evidence. The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is being reviewed again for service connection.

The Board has remanded several claims related to the Veteran's knee and spine disabilities, including a separate rating for right knee meniscal tear, increased ratings for various knee conditions, and an evaluation of his back disability. The issues are being remanded due to inadequate medical evidence and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has denied service connection for a neck condition due to lack of evidence linking the current disability to military service. The claims for increased ratings for lumbar strain, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and right knee patellofemoral syndrome are remanded as new examinations are needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for back disorder, neck disorder, and peripheral neuropathy due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran will need VA examinations to determine if his conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability and an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability. The cases are still pending and will be reconsidered by the RO.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that the evidence did not establish a relationship between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Board dismissed the appeals on all issues related to service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back condition, particularly in relation to service and his service-connected irritable bowel syndrome.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea, shoulder disorder, back strain, rhinitis, and GERD. The AOJ is instructed to obtain STRs from reserve and National Guard service periods, private medical records, and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's petition to reopen a claim for service connection for residuals of a back injury is granted. The issue of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder is remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions and remanded them for further development.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and remanded the issue of a higher disability rating for his lumbar spine disability.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension, sleep apnea, and hair loss. The Veteran's vision problems, tension headaches, shoulder conditions, knee conditions, ankle conditions, and back condition are being remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is now rated at the maximum disability level (100%) from May 11, 2015. The other conditions remain at their current assigned ratings.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is granted as service connected, with the condition first diagnosed in 1993 and linked to his military service via air gun inoculations. The other conditions are denied due to lack of a current diagnosis or no evidence linking them to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and PTSD, but has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding stressors and diabetes etiology.