Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of DDD, lumbar spine and radiculopathy left lower extremity were denied. The case was remanded for further action on the remaining issues.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for lumbar strain, left knee strain, and hiatal hernia, to include entitlement to a separate rating for GERD are dismissed. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted.

The Board has remanded four issues related to hearing loss, tinnitus, right shoulder pain, and lumbosacral strain due to the need for additional evidence and medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence being submitted. The issues include reopening of claims for lumbar spine disability, right eye disability, migraine headaches, acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and schizoaffective disorder), and dermatophytosis.

The Veteran's appeals for initial compensable evaluations for right and left hand carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as her appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability to include simple phobia (now consolidated under major depressive disorder with PTSD and insomnia), have been dismissed. The Veteran has also been granted a TDIU.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for low back disorder, left shoulder disorder, and bone loss disorder due to Depo Provera use based on new evidence submitted since the previous denial. The claims are now considered for their merits.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his service connection claim for a back disability and has determined that he is entitled to service connection for degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine. The decision also finds that there is at least equipoise evidence in favor of the Veteran's claim.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine was denied as there is no evidence showing that he met the criteria for a higher rating during the period from November 2, 2017 to January 1, 2019.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy due to unclear medical opinions and potential onset of disabilities during the Veteran's dishonorable period of service.

The Board denied service connection for thoracic spine degenerative disc disease, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, and migraines (secondary to cervical and/or thoracic DJD) as there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder, low back disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder were denied. The claim for ischemic heart disease was reopened due to new evidence but the underlying claim remains denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and outstanding private treatment records.

The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at 0 percent for the entire rating period. The Board has remanded to obtain additional evidence related to left wrist disability, back disability, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of lumbar spine, cervicothoracic spine, and right knee disabilities. The claim for headache disability is also remanded.

Service connection is granted for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities.,Service connection is denied for a lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and left knee disorder.,A rating of 30 percent for CAD was granted effective February 19, 2018.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that the current disabilities are less likely related to the appellant's ACDUTRA injury in 1973 and more likely due to a work injury in 1991.

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for lower back pain has been granted. The Board has also remanded several issues related to the Veteran's knee and mental health conditions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's low back disorder, including L5-S1 disc space narrowing and radiculopathy, is related to his active duty service. However, due to insufficient evidence in the record, a new VA examination is required to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions were dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluation have been dismissed due to her death.