Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are incomplete and requires further medical guidance due to a recent court decision. Additionally, there is evidence of worsening since the last examination. Therefore, the claims are being remanded for additional evaluations.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been remanded for further evaluation. The effective date of service connection for a scar of the lower back has also been remanded, as well as an initial rating for that scar.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability was incurred in service, and thus granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful employment since September 18, 2015.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, knee disability, and degenerative arthritis of the right great toe (claimed as right foot big toe) due to lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or disease.,New evidence received since previous decisions did not change the outcome.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the VA examinations conducted, specifically regarding the assessment of additional functional loss or limitation of motion during flare-ups.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's low back disability is related to service.

The Veteran's post-concussion headaches were restored to a 50% rating, but the increased ratings for left shoulder strain and chronic lumbar strain are remanded.

The Veteran's low back strain, post fracture of the sacrum disability is remanded for a VA examination to assess its current severity.

The Board denied service connection for low back disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and kidney stones due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred during service nor caused by any aspect of active duty service.,The Veteran’s lumbar spine disability is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability due to lack of evidence linking it to his active duty service.,The Board has also remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of lumbar spine injury and right foot injury, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities did not originate during his active duty training.

The Veteran's asthma and panic disorder with agoraphobia features have been denied increased ratings.,Right knee DJD, right shoulder rotator cuff tendinopathy, and thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease require further review due to the need for additional evidence or examination.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is denied, while her claim for a 40 percent rating for neuropathy, right lower extremity (ranging from mild to severe incomplete paralysis) is granted.

The petition to reopen the appeal for entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The petition to reopen the appeal for entitlement to service connection for right knee pain is reopened and the claim for service connection for right knee pain is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disorder and a low back disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic condition during or following service.

The Veteran's tinnitus, lumbar spine scoliosis and arthritis, cervical spine arthritis, radiculopathy of the upper left extremity, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity have been granted service connection and increased ratings. The Veteran received a 40 percent disability rating for her lumbar spine scoliosis and arthritis as of January 19, 2018.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee degenerative joint disease, lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and headache disorder due to inadequate VA opinions based on time since service separation.