Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, back disability, right shoulder disability, and bilateral Achilles tendonitis have been denied as there is no competent medical evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for a right rib disability has also been denied due to lack of in-service injury or disease.

The Board has granted ratings for lumbar spine and right lower extremity radiculopathy, but the effective dates were not established. The Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) ordered a remand to obtain relevant medical records from Henry Ford Health System.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased evaluations of his lumbar spine disability and major depressive disorder before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has remanded the cases of higher initial disability ratings for Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) of the thoracolumbar spine and Status post right ulnar decompression and elbow strain due to additional functional loss during flare-ups.

The Veteran's Lumbo-Forte back brace for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine does not cause wear and tear to his clothing, thus denying an annual VA clothing allowance for 2017.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder), and a sleep disorder. The claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, neck disability, right shoulder disability, back disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to new evidence submitted since previous decisions.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his low back disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than 20 percent for either condition.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient evidence and internal inconsistencies in previous examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for his low back strain with herniation and laminectomy L5-S1 due to inconsistencies in previous VA examinations. The case is being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) due to the appellant's failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.,VA will schedule new VA examinations for the appellant in order to determine if he currently has a diagnosis of a bilateral foot condition, a back condition, or an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient examination reports and lack of private treatment records. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for dyslipidemia as it is a laboratory finding, not a disability. Other issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's back disability and his service. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with the August 2018 remand instructions and thus, the claims are being returned for further development. Specifically, VA is required to obtain treatment records from Fort Bliss and provide an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's low back disorder and left ankle disorder are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbar spine disability (intervertebral disc disease), bilateral knee disability, sleep apnea, and prostate cancer are all denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to service.,Service treatment records do not document any complaints or treatment related to these conditions during the Veteran's active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the onset and etiology of his back disorder, bilateral foot disorder, and sleep apnea syndrome.

The Board denied service connection for a low back condition and a right knee condition, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to determine if his lower back condition is aggravated by his service-connected right femoral neck stress fracture and thigh impairment.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbar spine strain was granted in the June 2014 rating decision. The appellant is not entitled to attorney fees based on past due benefits awarded from December 25, 2013 to June 2014 as she did not represent the Veteran at the time of the grant.