Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of a thoracolumbar back disorder due to insufficient rationale and inadequate medical opinions in the previous decision.

The claim of service connection for a low back disability and depression is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The Veteran's mental health condition may be related to his in-service history, but further examination is needed to determine its exact cause.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings is denied. The case is now back before the Board with a remand for additional development regarding entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's appeals to reopen previously denied service connection claims for various conditions, as well as increased ratings and effective date claims, have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain (low back disability) was denied a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to February 19, 2016 and in excess of 40 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's thoracic syrinx (fluid on spinal cord) was not granted an increased rating.,A separate 10 percent rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity associated with the lumbosacral strain (low back disability) prior to October 16, 2015 was granted.

The Board denied the reopening of the claim for service connection for a low back disability due to lack of new and material evidence, as the submitted statements were considered redundant.

The Veteran's claims for headaches, increased ratings for hearing loss and depression, initial ratings for back disability and radiculopathy, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,VA examinations will be scheduled to assess the severity of his service-connected conditions and their impact on employment.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as her service-connected disabilities do not render her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability and granted it, finding that there is new and material evidence to support the claim. The Veteran had continuous symptoms since service and his current condition can be linked to his in-service injury.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle and low back disability were denied as the effective date cannot be earlier than February 12, 2016.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracolumbar spine disability and cervical spine disability, but finds that further development is necessary to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims of service connection for left knee disability, low back pain, and migraines was granted. The Board also remanded the claim for service connection for low back pain due to insufficient evidence.

The Board dismissed all appeals due to the appellant's withdrawal of her claims.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of his condition, as his most recent evaluation was more than five years ago. All relevant medical records should also be obtained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease with lumbar spondylosis, was aggravated by service. Therefore, service connection is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional records from Social Security Administration (SSA) and VA treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a left arm disability, low back disability, and heart disability (claimed as chest pain) secondary to her service-connected neuro-cardiogenic syndrome due to outstanding private and VA treatment records that need to be obtained.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been granted, with the exception of bilateral hip condition which was denied due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between current disability and active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition has been reopened and granted.,Service connection for migraines is now established, with the onset likely during service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, including lumbar spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current condition is related to his active military service.