Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right elbow injury, left elbow injury, lumbosacral pain, and right knee pain. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.,Service connection was also denied for depression/panic disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development due to incomplete medical records and unaddressed issues.

The appeal to reopen a claim for service connection for right knee condition is granted. The claims of service connection for cervical, bilateral ankle, headaches, acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), blurred vision, dizziness, back condition, and bilateral hip conditions are remanded.

The Veteran is granted a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective March 7, 2015 due to service-connected disabilities that have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's back disability and hypertension were not shown as chronic in service or within a year of discharge, and continuity of symptomatology is not established. The Board denied service connection for both conditions.

Your claims for service connection have been dismissed because the Veteran died before a decision could be made.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a low back disability is granted. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bruxism, status post TMJ, before March 14, 2019, is denied. The Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck disability and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left foot, ankle, knee, and back disabilities due to incomplete records and inadequate VA examination opinions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions based on in-service injuries.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions provided in response to the April 2018 remand request were inadequate for rating purposes, and thus requires corrective action. The Veteran's low back disability, headaches, and sleep disorder claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability and lumbar spine compression fracture has been reopened. The Board found new evidence that raises the possibility of substantiating these claims, but the case is remanded due to outstanding private treatment records.

Your lumbosacral spine disability has been granted service connection, but the appeal is dismissed as there are no remaining issues to be decided.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence, and requests for additional records from SSA and VA.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability is found to be the primary cause of his current degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a lack of adequate VA examination in connection with the Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The Veteran is entitled to an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine prior to October 21, 2014 and on or after that date.

The claim to reopen the service connection for a lumbar spine disability is granted. PTSD and major depressive disorder are granted, but with remand for increased rating evaluations. The claims for TBI and migraine headaches are also remanded.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his service-connected left knee strain with patellofemoral pain syndrome and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received after the last statement of the case. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings related to his degenerative disc disease and nerve radiculopathy are now pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for back, right knee, and left knee conditions due to conflicting evidence regarding their onset and etiology. The claims are inextricably intertwined with the determination of her back condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected lumbar disc disease, cervical spondylosis, and insomnia.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for further VA spine evaluations following his September 2018 spinal fusion.