Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and an extension of a temporary total rating are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's appeal was remanded for further action. The Board found that a higher rating than 20 percent is not warranted for the lumbar spine disability prior to November 17, 2017 and denied his claim for increased ratings for left lumbar radiculopathy during this period.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for low back disability and neurological disability, as they require further development of the record.

The Board has determined that the VA contract opinions are inadequate and remands the case for further development, including obtaining new etiological opinions addressing all theories of entitlement to service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection of various disabilities, including bilateral knees, left wrist, low back, pinched nerves of upper extremities/neck, and hepatitis C are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The VA will conduct further examinations and determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence on file for a VA examination to assess whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD and IVDS lumbar spine disability.

The Board dismissed the appeals on all issues related to service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims of service connection for bilateral ankle disability, low back disability, right hip disability, and bilateral pes planus. The Board also found that there was no medical nexus between these disabilities and his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, as there are insufficient medical opinions to determine whether the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current disabilities are caused by VA treatment in September 2015. The Veteran needs a new examination to address these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities, as well as granted the Veteran's claims for left shoulder disability, right foot disorder, blurred vision, respiratory condition, and dermatitis. The remaining issues are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for a low back disability and an initial compensable rating for left knee disability due to incomplete examination opinions and lack of recent treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for Section 1151 compensation for diabetes mellitus was denied as the evidence did not show that VA care caused his diabetes. The Board also found no basis to grant extraschedular ratings for lumbosacral spine DJD, left lower extremity radiculopathy, or right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's low back disorder is granted service connection, but his post-traumatic headaches and PTSD are denied initial compensable ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected low back strain, patellar tendonitis of the left knee, and patellar tendonitis of the right knee are being remanded for additional development to determine their current severity.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of service connection for a back condition is granted, and service connection is also granted. An initial disability rating of 100 percent for PTSD is granted effective April 13, 2008.

The Board has decided to remand several claims for further development due to incomplete service treatment records and untranslated Spanish documents. The Veteran's lumbar spine, cervical spine, left ankle, bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety and depressive disorders), right knee meniscal tear, and hypertension claims are being returned for additional examination and review.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between his low back condition and service-connected right foot scars. The Board requires an addendum opinion from a qualified medical professional.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding service connection claims for thoracolumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities. The residuals of fracture of the left 4th metacarpal evaluation remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, dyslipidemia, low back disorder, DJD of the hips, knees, ankles, and feet, skeletal body pain, diabetes mellitus type II (DM II), diabetic neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and hypertension were all denied as they are not related to his military service.