Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and need for additional evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to July 19, 2007 for her service connection claim and has remanded the issue of a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for her low back condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and left ankle osteoarthritis due to inadequate development.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his active military service.

The Board has denied service connection for a right little finger disability and remanded the claims of service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, allergic rhinitis, foot fungus (likely athlete's foot), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, thoracolumbar spine (low back) disability, and left shoulder rotator cuff tear with acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his left and right knee disabilities, but has remanded the issue of service connection for a low back disorder.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions are inadequate and remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions. The issues include service connection for right shoulder arthritis, degenerative disease of the lumbar spine, left hip arthritis, right hip arthritis, a left ankle disorder, thorax contusion, and residual of head injury.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, bilateral hip disability, and neurological disorder (radiculopathy of the hands and feet) as there was no evidence linking these conditions to active service or events therein. The Veteran's claims were based on his belief that all disorders are related to his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for low back disability and denied both his claims for right foot/ankle disability. The low back disability was reopened due to new evidence, but it is still not found to be related to service. The right foot/ankle disability claims were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability that is related to service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary for the Veteran to undergo VA examinations and obtain additional medical records in order to properly assess his claims of service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, low back condition, radiculopathy, left knee condition, right knee condition, and right shoulder condition.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the severity of the Veteran's lower back disability and radiculopathy claims, including VA treatment records and any relevant private treatment records. The AOJ will attempt to obtain these records and schedule the Veteran for an examination with an appropriate examiner.

The Board has remanded multiple service connection claims due to the need for additional medical records and information.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and examination, including service connection claims and a TDIU claim. The Veteran's adjustment disorder with anxiety is also being remanded for an additional VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, left shoulder condition, back condition, and hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's back condition is rated at 20 percent, the maximum rating available for degenerative facet and disc disease of the lumbar spine. The evidence does not show that her flexion was limited to 30 degrees or less, nor does it indicate unfavorable ankylosis.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine are granted service connection as they are secondary to his service-connected right knee conditions.

The Veteran's low back disorder and headache disorder are service-connected, but his sciatica and acquired psychiatric disorder are not. The Board found that the Veteran's current back problems likely began during service.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, back disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and hair bumps due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Veteran's GERD developed during service and is granted service connection.,Service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy is denied as there is no current diagnosis of such condition.,For the lumbar spine disability, a higher rating than 10 percent is not warranted due to lack of limitation of motion or ankylosis. For left lower extremity sciatica (left lower extremity radiculopathy), a higher rating than 10 percent is also not warranted as there is no moderate, moderately severe, or severe incomplete paralysis.,The Veteran's right and left pes planus and hallux valgus are denied service connection. Service connection for allergic rhinitis is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence and outstanding VA treatment records. The issues include elbow, knee, lumbar spine, and psychiatric disorders related to Gulf War environmental hazards.