Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, but the specific conditions and ratings are not specified in this decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and outstanding VA treatment records. The issues on appeal include back, bilateral hip, left knee, right knee, left ankle, right ankle, and respiratory disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain disability is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess its current severity.

The Board has remanded the case for a higher initial rating for the Veteran's service-connected low back disability. The effective date of the grant of service connection remains September 22, 2018.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings of his back disability and left foot disabilities, so the Board has dismissed these matters.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and effective dates has been remanded due to the need for additional development of records, including SSA disability benefits records, mental health records from service, and workers' compensation records. The issues regarding tinnitus, low back disability, PTSD, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic headache disability, and psychiatric disability remain on appeal.

The Veteran's deviated nasal septum disability status post septoplasty is granted as incurred in service.,Service connection for a back disability, variously claimed as grade I anterolisthesis of the thoracolumbar spine disability and a nerve disability of the right lower extremity are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left eye disability, right eye disability, right-hand disability, and vertigo. The remaining issues have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient development of evidence.,Service connection for a low back condition, any separate and additional respiratory illness (including as due to an undiagnosed illness related to service in Southwest Asia), COPD, and PTSD are all pending.

The Board has remanded four issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims for sinusitis, asthma, lumbar spine disability, and skin condition. The remand requires additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided to reconsider the previously denied claims of service connection for a low back condition, residuals of a head injury, and skin condition. The case is REMANDED for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were remanded due to insufficient evidence. The VA examinations and treatment records support the current non-compensable disability ratings.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial disability rating for lumbar spine and migraine headaches, as well as TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran is required to provide VA treatment records from April 2019 onwards and undergo a VA examination to assess her current severity of migraine headaches.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability, sleep condition (including sleep apnea), and respiratory condition due to outstanding medical records and additional development is needed.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and a left ankle disorder, and also denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are severe enough to produce unemployability, and the Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, a back condition, and a skin condition are remanded due to the need for additional development. The claim seeking to reopen service connection for bronchial asthma is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and has remanded the cases of Right Knee Condition, Cervical Spine Condition, and Lumbar Spine Condition for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus, heel spurs, and degenerative joint disease great toes has been granted. The rating for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus, heel spurs, and degenerative joint disease great toes remains at 30 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder, right knee, bilateral shin splints, left ankle, and right ankle conditions. The denial is based on a lack of current diagnoses or persistent/recurring symptoms.,Service connection was also denied for a low back condition and right leg sciatica secondary to the low back disability.