Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to attorney fees and a TDIU award, including reviewing the May 2019 VA Form 9 submitted by the Veteran's attorney.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service records are unavailable due to a fire at the National Personnel Records Center. The Board is remanding the claims for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and conducting VA examinations.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his bilateral hallux valgus and denied service connection for a low back disability due to lack of evidence showing a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's low back, right leg, and left leg disabilities were not shown to be related to service.,His bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's appeal to receive a higher initial rating for his lumbar DDD with IVDS has been withdrawn by the appellant.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for low back disability is reopened, and he is granted a 50% rating for migraine headaches effective January 2, 2013. The effective dates for service connection for migraine headaches and DJD of the cervical spine are set to October 27, 2004.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating of tinnitus has been denied as the maximum schedular rating is already assigned.,Service connection for a low back disability and PTSD have both been denied due to lack of evidence supporting their onset during service or being related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's Air Force Reserve service and its impact on his lumbar spine condition. The claim will be reconsidered with additional information.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete or inadequate previous examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to September 26, 2012. The Board has remanded the case for referral to the Director, Compensation Service, for extraschedular consideration of a TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to a lack of VA examinations and incomplete records. The appellant's service connection claims for back disorder and traumatic brain injury are being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss, lumbar spine disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disability to include PTSD are being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection for a back disability and whether it is proximately caused by a service-connected left ankle disability. The Veteran's current back disability may be related to his in-service injury, but more evidence is needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include back disability, left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and the need for a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back injury, including degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are due to an in-service injury.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee, right ankle, and lumbar spine disorders. The remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, anxiety, and depression), a disability manifested by chest tightness, and a disability manifested by a nervous stomach are remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip disorder, left hip disorder, lower back disorder, and skin disorder due to lack of evidence showing a relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has not fully addressed the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected lumbar spine disability, and additional development is required as there has been substantial non-compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service records may be incomplete and requests for additional records are made. The issues of service connection for various disabilities remain under review.