Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder has been reopened, and the Board is remanding the case to obtain additional medical evidence and determine if the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is denied.,Claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, left lower extremity and radiculopathy, middle radicular group, left upper extremity are denied.

The Board has dismissed all the claims as they are related to a deceased appellant.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to new evidence of worsening symptoms. The VA will obtain updated medical records, including from Vet Centers and private providers, and schedule examinations to assess current disability levels.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to his active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including low back, knee, leg, and hip disabilities. The decision also dismissed his claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee injury, low back disability, and chest pain due to incomplete STRs and need for further medical examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, back disorder, left ankle disorder, bilateral foot disorder, and psychiatric disorder due to inadequate examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to duty-to-assist errors, including obtaining VA treatment records prior to 2008 and SSA records.

The Board has remanded the claim for a higher rating for low back strain with degenerative disc disease due to inadequate examination findings and further development is needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including a lumbosacral spine disability, cervical spine disability, hearing loss of the left ear, hypertension, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity are being remanded due to incomplete information.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinnitus, PTSD, and hearing loss of the right ear are also being remanded.

The Board has granted the reopening of a claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, but has remanded the issue to obtain additional evidence and provide an addendum opinion.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection, increased ratings, and earlier effective dates related to his back condition, PTSD, and peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete service connection verification and a need for updated clinical records and an orthopedic examination.

The Board has denied service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disorder and a cervical spine disorder, finding no evidence of chronic disorders during or since service. The claim for episodic dizziness is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,A compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is also remanded as there are histories indicating an increase in severity since the last VA examination.

The Board has denied service connection for back disability, left shoulder disability, and tension headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder, knee, and low back disabilities are not service-connected.,However, the Veteran was granted service connection for headaches and muscle aches, both claimed as due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is related to service. The claim for syphilis remains denied as there is no current diagnosis of active syphilis.

The Veteran's spondylosis cervical spine, recurrent lumbar strain, right knee instability, and left knee limitation of motion have been granted service connection. The Veteran has also received a TDIU rating.