Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, consistent with his education and occupational history.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back, bilateral knee, left ankle, and left lower extremity disabilities due to insufficient evidence in the record regarding their etiology. The case is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his claims of entitlement to a higher rating for post-viral encephalitis with residuals of migraine headaches, an earlier effective date for the grant of a 20 percent rating for DJD of the thoracolumbar spine, and service connection for sleep apnea.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with his other claims.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to outstanding service treatment records and VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for cervical spine, lumbar spine, and GERD disabilities. The heart condition claim was denied, but the Veteran has submitted private treatment records that show ongoing issues with his heart.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 40 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The radiculopathy claims for right lower extremity sciatic nerve and femoral nerve are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain additional opinions regarding service connection for various conditions, including a back disorder, bilateral knee disorders, and chronic bone density issues. The Veteran's esophagitis with irritable bowel syndrome is also being examined again due to his reported increase in severity.

The Board has remanded the appeals for service connection and earlier effective dates due to additional development being necessary. The back disorder appeal is related to a new examination, while the fibromyalgia, SMC, and DEA appeals are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition is reopened, but the matter of whether his current lumbar spine disability is related to service remains pending and requires further examination.

The Veteran's back brace caused wear and tear to his clothing, which is a service-connected condition. The Board granted the clothing allowance for 2017.

Service connection granted for osteoarthritis of lumbosacral spine and degenerative disc and joint disease of the neck.,The Veteran's current conditions are related to her in-service motor vehicle accident.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability has been reopened, and the issue of service connection for prostate cancer is dismissed. The issues of service connection for left upper extremity, right upper extremity, left lower extremity, and right lower extremity disabilities are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lower back disability is related to his documented injury during active duty service, and symptoms have continued since then. Therefore, service connection for a lower back disability is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right great toe disability. The examiner found that the Veteran's current back issues are at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected right great toe disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to potential secondary relationship. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine and right femur and hip disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection of low back, right hip, and hypertension disabilities. The claims are remanded for additional development including VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates were denied. The TDIU claim was also remanded.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a lumbar spine disability and several musculoskeletal issues. The appeal was also denied for TDIU due to lack of evidence showing unemployability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus have been granted. The claim for service connection for lumbar spine disability is remanded due to outstanding treatment records.