Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development on several issues, including evaluations for his hearing loss and disabilities, effective date determinations, and increased ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disorder is rated at 20 percent, which does not meet the criteria for an initial rating more than 20 percent.

The Board denied service connection for lumbosacral strain with IVDS, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing a nexus between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected conditions, finding that the Veteran's disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to September 7, 2016.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to November 12, 2014 are not warranted and has therefore remanded the cases for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, as the previous examination was deemed inadequate.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral shin splints, lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, and histoplasmosis. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection to include an acquired psychiatric disorder, low back condition, upper back condition, neck condition, and cataracts has been granted. The claims for the low back and upper back conditions are denied due to insufficient evidence of onset or relationship to service. The claims for the neck and cataracts conditions are also denied as there is no evidence showing their onset in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, right knee, left foot, and right foot disorders due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during her military service.

The Board has granted service connection for lung cancer and the cause of death due to metastatic nonsmall cell lung cancer. The claim for a back disorder is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a cervical spine disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current disability and his military service.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 20 percent, effective from April 18, 2019. The rating for PTSD remains at 70 percent, effective August 29, 2016.

The Veteran is entitled to payment of education benefits under Chapter 33, Title 38, United States Code (Post-9/11 GI Bill) at the 100 percent level due to having at least 30 continuous days of creditable active duty service and a discharge due to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain, also claimed as mid and lower back disability is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and to attempt to obtain private medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar degenerative disc and joint disease is granted, as the evidence shows that his disability had its onset during active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims for a new VA examination to evaluate the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and associated left lower extremity radiculopathy, due to concerns about the accuracy of the address provided in the previous examination request.

The Veteran's current neck and back disabilities are related to his military service.,The Veteran's leg weakness, blurred vision, vertigo, and breathing problems may be related to environmental hazards during his Gulf War deployment.

The Board denied reopening the claims for service connection for left shoulder and low back disabilities due to lack of new and material evidence. The Veteran's previous statements and medical records were considered, but they did not provide a nexus between his current conditions and active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted initial ratings of 20 percent each effective March 24, 2016.,The Veteran's limitation of extension of the right hip has been granted an initial rating of 10 percent effective January 27, 2017.