Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea, right shoulder impingement, and lumbar strain due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology and current severity.

The Board has remanded two issues: service connection for a back condition, claimed as intervertebral disc syndrome, and service connection for epicondylitis of the right elbow. The Veteran's military service history is provided, along with his reported symptoms and medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to inextricably intertwined pending claims and a need for an opinion regarding the cause of death. The Appellant's request for substitution is also referred to the RO.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating due to additional evidence that needs to be considered.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, right knee, left knee, and left shoulder disabilities. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and neck disabilities due to a lack of complete medical records, including those from VA treatment providers. The Veteran is also asked to provide exact dates of her ACDUTRA periods.

The Board denied service connection for back, right knee, right hip, and right wrist disorders due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or any other basis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for his lower back, cervical spine, acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder), and headaches. The claim for bilateral foot disability has not met the criteria for reopening.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disorder and remanded the issue of entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions, including right ear hearing loss, left wrist disorder, low back disorder, cervical spine disorder, traumatic cognitive disorder (mental disorder due to traumatic fall), seizure disorder, and left knee disorder. The appeals are now remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional examinations due to concerns about the thoroughness of previous evaluations and the need for more detailed information regarding functional loss.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service connected. Right and left leg varicose veins are denied, but the Board finds that continuous symptoms since service supports a grant of service connection for hypertension. The low back disability claim is remanded.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's neck, upper back, and low back disorders. The VA examinations are required as well as obtaining private medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, right radial traumatic neuropathy, degenerative changes to thoracolumbar spine (lumbar spine disability), bilateral hearing loss, TBI residuals, and headaches have all been denied. The Board found that there was no current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy in either leg or any other service-connected condition related to the issues.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's injuries, finding that they were due to his own willful misconduct during a February 1985 altercation.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and thoraco-lumbar spine disabilities due to a lack of VA assistance in obtaining relevant private medical records. The Veteran is required to provide authorization for these records, which will then be requested by VA.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was denied as the evidence did not show he was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment solely due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons and bases with respect to functional loss due to flare-ups of the lumbar spine. The Veteran is scheduled for a VA examination to assess the severity of her lumbar spine disability, including a medical opinion complying with Sharp v. Shulkin.

The claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability has been reopened and is denied. The claim for a compensable rating for conjunctivitis is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that it is caused by an in-service injury and resolving doubt in favor of the Veteran.