Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, but the remaining claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, hemorrhoids, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are remanded due to incomplete development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine disability, bilateral knee disability, and respiratory condition (chronic cough) due to insufficient evidence. A VA examination is required to determine the nature, etiology, and severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his low back disability and mild neurocognitive disorder have been remanded due to the need for further development.,His TDIU claim has also been remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability. The Veteran is granted a 100 percent rating for major depressive disorder, but his claim for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability remains pending.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for a further medical opinion regarding his other back conditions and their relationship to service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee disability other than gout, back disability, and eye disability as secondary to service-connected disabilities or exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The claims were based on direct service connection.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance, or at the housebound rate is being remanded due to uncertainty regarding his functional impairment from service-connected disabilities without considering non-service-connected impairments.

The Board found that the Veteran's request to reopen his previously denied claim of service connection for a low back disability was not successful, and denied his claims for service connection for sinus disability and peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities. The decision is mixed as it granted one issue (low back disability) but denied two issues (sinus disability and peripheral neuropathy).

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hip disorder, back disorder, and left leg disorder (headaches) are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with the rating for thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for inner right thigh scar, back condition, and bilateral plantar fasciitis due to lack of evidence showing current disabilities or etiology. The Veteran is also remanded for a new VA examination to determine the severity of her service-connected carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lower back condition and left lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as his claim for TDIU. The Veteran will need to undergo a new VA examination to assess the severity of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's low back disorder and his service-connected bilateral knee disorders. The Veteran is required to provide additional evidence or an adequate medical opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and sciatic pain as secondary to a low back disorder, finding no evidence of these conditions in service or related to service-connected disability. Service connection was also denied for a low back disorder due to lack of medical nexus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability has been reopened, but the claims for peripheral nerve disabilities of both lower extremities are still pending and need further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability is being remanded due to the need for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his current lumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for her service-connected low back, right knee, and skin disabilities are remanded due to the need for updated treatment records and contemporaneous VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability, finding that his current condition is not causally related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and low back disability have been denied. The claim for low back disability is being remanded.