Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, headaches, left ear hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disorder has been granted.,New evidence was submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA examination to determine the effect of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and addressing the propriety of reduction decisions. The Veteran's increased rating claim is also being addressed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left foot disability and lumbosacral spondylosis due to incomplete STRs and conflicting medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability is granted, and the case is remanded to determine the nature and likely etiology of his current back disability.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disorders, including arthritis, spondylolisthesis, DJD, DDD, and status post fusion. The Veteran's current diagnosed conditions were not incurred in or related to active service.

The Board has denied service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, low back, left hip, right hip, and right knee disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's current disabilities are not considered the result of an August 1972 motor vehicle accident.,Service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease, and diabetes mellitus has also been denied as there is no credible evidence of herbicide exposure in Thailand during the Veteran's period of active duty.

The veteran's appeal for a higher rating on his cervical spine condition was dismissed because he withdrew the appeal before a decision could be made.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and effective dates have been dismissed.,Effective date of the 70% anxiety disorder rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine the likely etiology of any currently diagnosed back disability.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including left hip disability, degenerative joint disease of the left knee, diabetes mellitus type II, and psychiatric disabilities. The effective date for service connection for a lumbar spine disability is also being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for various wrist, ankle, neck, back, shoulder, knee, and toe conditions as there was no evidence of current disabilities or in-service injuries that could be linked to these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that it is related to her military service. The July 2018 decision was vacated due to evidence not considered in the original decision.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, heart disability (stent placement), lumbar degenerative disc disease, and traumatic brain injury residuals are being remanded due to new evidence suggesting potential exposure to herbicides during service. The Board will determine if this exposure qualifies him for presumptive service connection.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective September 14, 2011. For the period prior to January 23, 2015, her lumbosacral strain was rated at 10 percent and increased to 20 percent effective January 23, 2015.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection and TDIU due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his claims.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient examination reports and missing treatment records.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection and rating issues due to inadequate substantive appeals.

The Board has determined that further medical examination and opinion are needed to determine if the Veteran's current back and left knee disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence received, but did not specify any outcome or rating assigned.