Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has granted an effective date of June 22, 2009 for the resumption of VA disability compensation benefits due to a debt from separation pay. The Veteran did not file a claim within one year prior to her second period of active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received since the July 2019 Supplemental Statement of the Case, and will consider all issues in a new SSOC.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating after November 5, 2014, was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions including bilateral ankle, foot, back, respiratory (COPD), cardiovascular disorders, and PTSD as there was no evidence of a nexus to active duty service.

The Board has dismissed all the claims related to service connection and increased ratings due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at a 40 percent rating from September 1, 2010. The Board found that the evidence supported this rating based on the Veteran's complaints of pain and limited range of motion.

Service connection is granted for anemia and lumbar spine arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome.,The Veteran's gastrointestinal disability, to include IBS, hepatitis, and any acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete or missing service records, and a need for VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and need for additional evidence. The claims include lumbar strain, degenerative joint disease of knees, osteoarthritis of shoulders, headaches, and memory loss.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for his painful left wrist scar, residual scars of the right knee, and other disabilities are denied. The Board finds that new examinations are needed to determine the current severity of these conditions.,The Veteran’s claims for increased ratings are REMANDED as there is insufficient evidence regarding the current severity of his right wrist, left wrist, back, right knee, left ankle, allergic rhinitis, and pseudofolliculitis barbae disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disability and headaches, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and active duty service.,Service connection was also denied for a low back disability, with the examiner concluding that it is less likely than not related to in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability due to an inadequate July 2010 VA examination. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is being evaluated again with new evidence and medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability and entitlement to TDIU is remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including VA treatment records and SSA disability claim records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and back disability due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and left knee conditions due to incomplete medical records, lack of a nexus opinion, and issues with continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back disability, right shoulder disability, and headaches secondary to TBI due to inconsistencies in previous opinions.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a lumbar spine condition and granted it, finding that new evidence supports the Veteran's contention that his current condition is related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA opinion regarding the Veteran's back condition. The examiner needs to provide a new opinion addressing whether the Veteran's in-service chronic back pain was early manifestations of his current back disability and if it can be determined that the symptoms he complained about during service were early manifestations of his current back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including back pain and nerve damage, 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 appeal for right ear hearing loss is dismissed. The appeals for the low back disorder, left hip disorder, left ankle disorder, throat disorder, and right wrist disorder are remanded.