Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's lumbar spine surgery resulting from his service-connected low back strain resulted in a temporary total rating of 100% for six months following the surgery.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient new and relevant evidence for service connection of a left knee disorder. The lumbar spine disorder issue remains under review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back and left hip conditions arose in service, resolving all doubt in her favor. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, PTSD, right shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, and bilateral knee disability due to new evidence submitted after previous denials.

The Veteran's claims for various disabilities, including lumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, cervical spine disability, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and foot disability have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome was denied. The claims for service connection for low back disorder, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy were all granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development and evaluation, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical evidence and adjudicating TDIU claims.

The Veteran's lumbar strain is rated at the maximum available rating of 40 percent, effective August 23, 2017.,An initial 50 percent rating for insomnia disorder is granted, effective from the date of claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various joint and tinnitus disorders have been denied as the evidence does not support a link between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, bilateral eye disorders, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression) as the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.,Service connection was also denied for a bilateral foot disorder in a previous remand.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent from August 13, 2014 to June 20, 2016 and at 40 percent thereafter. The Board has remanded the case for further examination regarding objective neurologic abnormalities and TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of low back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy was denied as there is no evidence of a prior claim before April 27, 2015.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition, bilateral eye condition, and an initial compensable rating for tinea pedis.,The evidence did not support the Veteran's assertions that his current conditions were related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim of service connection for disc disease of the thoracic and lumbar spine, but remanded for a new VA examination to determine if it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's current disabilities had onset in or are otherwise related to active military service.

The Board has remanded the issues of separate 10 percent ratings for RIGHT and LEFT leg sciatica from January 15, 2002 due to insufficient clarification in a previous VA opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete review of records and need for an addendum opinion regarding service connection for a low back disability.

The Veteran's skin condition was reopened, but his increased rating for left shoulder disability and service connection claims were denied. The appeal is remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back and bilateral knee disabilities may be related to service, but more evidence is needed for a definitive determination.