Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Veteran's tinnitus has been granted. The remaining issues of service connection are remanded due to lack of a VA examination.

The Veteran's low back disability has been granted service connection, but a higher rating is being requested. The Board finds that an examination is needed to determine the current level of severity.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's cervical spine condition is caused or aggravated by his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claims for a lumbar spine disorder and left knee disorder, but denied his claims for a left shoulder disorder and pseudofolliculitis barbae. The appeal is granted as to these two issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome disability is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for a higher disability rating and entitlement to total disability rating due to service-connected disability have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn his appeals.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current low back disability is related to her active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to inadequate medical opinions and missing evidence.,The Veteran's skin disability claim is also remanded as he has not been provided with a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a low back condition and headaches due to insufficient evidence, including the need for additional medical opinions and updated VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) prior to April 19, 2017 due to a conflict in appellate status. The case is now referred for extraschedular consideration by VA's Director, Compensation Service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate examination report and a need for further clarification on whether the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is related to service-connected ankle disabilities via obesity.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability, finding that there is no evidence showing a chronic condition during service or any relationship to service.

The Veteran's low back condition is rated at 40% since September 24, 2012. The rating was granted as the disability resulted in additional limitation of motion due to pain and other functional loss.

The Board has remanded several issues, including the reopening of a claim for service connection and increased ratings for lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy. The effective dates for these changes are not yet determined.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and right knee strain, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder and neck disorder are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a link between these conditions and his military service. The fibromyalgia and leg weakness (described as leg disorder) issues have been remanded for further examination and analysis.

The Veteran's appeals for generalized joint pain, chronic fatigue syndrome, and the petition to reopen a previously denied claim for bronchial disorder have been dismissed.,The appeal for an effective date earlier than October 24, 2012 for the grant of service connection for chronic constipation has also been dismissed.

The Veteran is granted service connection for various musculoskeletal and neurological conditions, including neck pain, low back pain, shoulder pain, wrist pain, hip pain, arm and hand pain, knee pain, foot pain, headaches, and skin symptoms. These conditions are presumed to be related to his military service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and right foot disability are being remanded. The left little finger scar rating is also being remanded, but the diabetes mellitus claim remains pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hip, knee, ankle, lumbar spine, and pelvic injury disabilities due to inconsistencies in evidence regarding whether the Veteran was under the influence of alcohol at the time of a motor vehicle accident. The case will be returned for further development.