Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, and actinic keratosis due to insufficient evidence in some cases. The Veteran will need to provide VA Form 21-4142 for all non-VA medical providers seen for his conditions, as well as obtain VA treatment records from June 2018 to the present. He will also be scheduled for a VA audiological examination and an examination of his back and actinic keratosis.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current back disability and her service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for an examination to determine if the Veteran's current low back disorder is related to service, specifically his active duty service in October to November 2004.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the lumbar spine disability is related to service. The VA examiner did not consider the Veteran's reported back pain during service and the post-service work-related injuries, as well as lay statements from his family members.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability and Meniere's syndrome. These issues are being remanded to allow for further examination and/or opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disability, including as secondary to the low back disability. The reasons are that the November 2016 VA medical examiner's opinion was inadequate due to its finding on credibility of the Veteran’s buddy statements.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a neck condition was denied. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability was also denied, with the Board finding that there were no incapacitating episodes and that the degree of additional limitation due to pain did not result in forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation and determination of the merits of various service connection claims.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and denied a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete examinations, lack of recent VA treatment records, and need for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, but has remanded the claim for neurological disability of the left wrist due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection as it originated during active duty. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and ear disorder to include bleeding of the ears are denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. Low back, left leg, head trauma, and acquired psychiatric disorders (PTSD) are also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient competent medical evidence on file for the Secretary to make a decision on this claim and a VA examination is warranted to assess the etiology of the Veteran's current low back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability is related to his active duty service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence in the VA examinations and the need for additional medical records.

The Veteran's low back degenerative disc disease was granted service connection as it is considered a direct result of her military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to outstanding treatment records and need for examinations. The issues include service connection, increased ratings, and a higher evaluation for major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for left knee, low back, and left index finger disabilities were denied. The RO assigned noncompensable initial ratings for these conditions.

The Board has revised its July 20, 2015 decision to grant service connection for chronic cervical strain. The other issues of service connection were denied due to lack of evidence.