Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims of service connection for neck, low back, left hip, and right hip conditions. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for his back disability due to insufficient evidence in the record, including a lack of an opinion regarding the continuity of symptoms post-service for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the claims for a lower middle back disability, bilateral hallux valgus, and bilateral pes planus due to unresolved medical questions. The Veteran reported injuries during active duty service that have persisted post-service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete records and need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's lumbar, left knee, and right knee strains have been rated at 10 percent each. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of a lower back disorder post fusion and a neck disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to a homicide, finding that bipolar disorder did not contribute to his death. The preponderance of evidence does not support a link between the Veteran’s service-connected conditions and his death.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for left shoulder septic arthritis due to a VA procedure, as well as the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability has been reopened and granted. However, the rating for erectile dysfunction remains remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a right ankle disability, lower back disability, rectum disability, bilateral foot disability, and nutritional deficiency disability. The Board found no evidence of current diagnoses or functional impairment related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and sleep apnea have been granted. The claims for hypertension and lower back disability are remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the service connection claims for low back disorder, hernia disorder, herniated c5 and 6 pinched nerve, and right knee disorder before a decision was made by the Board.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and readjudication due to incomplete records, including missing MRI results and SSA disability application records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate opinion in a previous VA addendum medical opinion. The Veteran's low back disability is being reviewed again for proper service connection.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for further examination. The Veteran's hypertension, anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, sleep apnea, diabetes, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, and degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine are all being reviewed.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted as service-connected, and his claim for an increased rating for his right ankle sprain and service connection for a back disability are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and neck disorders due to inadequate medical opinions in the April 2017 VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence regarding his thoracolumbar spine disability and a need for clarification on whether he has ever had unfavorable ankylosis. The cervical spine and headaches claims are also being remanded.

The Board has granted an effective date of May 11, 2004 for the Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with his service-connected low back disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, left knee, right knee, and back disabilities due to incomplete medical records and new evidence. The Veteran is also being asked to provide updated authorization for VA to obtain private treatment records from providers identified in his previous request.