Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for tension headaches prior to June 1, 2010 and TDIU (Individual Unemployability) prior to June 7, 2014. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is still pending as it was part of an underlying lumbar spine increased rating claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various shoulder and hand conditions, as well as a low back condition due to procedural errors in the previous rating decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck disability and a lower back disability, finding that there is no medical evidence to support a causal relationship between her service-connected left shoulder condition and her claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbar spine and bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis disabilities are rated at 10% and 20%, respectively. The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine if the current ratings adequately reflect her conditions.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary for further development to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back, right hip, and right knee disabilities as secondary to his service-connected residuals of a right distal fibula fracture.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his service connection claim for a lumbosacral spine disability, finding that new and material evidence had not been received since the final September 2003 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the claims due to new information about Air Force Reserve service and a change in VA regulations regarding herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is granted a rating of 40 percent effective November 15, 2017. The Veteran’s chronic lumbar strain remains rated at 40 percent.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his service, but has remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his right shoulder and back conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent prior to June 14, 2012 and in excess of 20 percent thereafter for disc herniation of the thoracolumbar spine is remanded due to insufficient evidence from a previous VA examination.

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

The Veteran's claim of service connection for lumbar spine pain was denied in a September 2013 rating decision. The Board found that the denial was not based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE).

The Board has ordered a remand for an adequate VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, including its relationship to service and any aggravation by his service-connected cervical degenerative disc and joint disease.

The Board has determined that the appeal is remanded due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the Veteran's current lumbar spine conditions and their relationship to service. The AOJ must obtain additional VA treatment records, non-VA treatment records, and SSA disability claim records.

The appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for low back condition is denied. Service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) is granted. A rating of 20 percent, but no higher, for residuals of broken right thumb is granted. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to an unresolved issue regarding left leg length discrepancy. The remaining issues of service connection and eligibility will be reconsidered after resolving this issue.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,A disability rating of 10 percent, but no higher, for bilateral plantar fasciitis prior to August 15, 2016, is granted. A rating in excess of 50 percent thereafter is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and lower back injury, finding no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and skin disorder due to insufficient evidence in the record.