Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has denied service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his in-service injury. The hearing loss and peripheral neuropathy claims are remanded due to inadequate VA examination.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding its onset during active duty.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral shoulder disability and right foot disability. The issues include seeking service connection for these conditions, as well as higher ratings for other disabilities such as degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine, left knee, right knee, left foot hallux valgus with left big toe degenerative joint disease, and hammertoes of the left foot. Additionally, the issue of TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is also remanded.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle, left knee, right ankle, and low back disabilities should be remanded due to incomplete information about his service records and potential new evidence.

The Board dismissed the claim of service connection for traumatic brain injury. The lower back condition is granted as service connected.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome, right knee instability, and lower extremity radiculopathies, have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background.

The Board has decided to remand the service connection claims for low back, right hip, right knee, left knee, and right ankle disabilities due to inadequate VA medical opinions. Additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death and denied DIC benefits under Section 1318. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a finding that the Veteran’s service-connected conditions caused or contributed to his cancer, which resulted in his death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include psychiatric disorders, diabetes, hypertension, ankle conditions, knee conditions, and low back condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various foot, knee, and back disabilities, as well as prostate cancer. The claims are being returned to VA for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, finding that the Veteran did not have a pre-existing low back disorder and that there is no clear and unmistakable evidence of aggravation during service. The claim was remanded to obtain VA treatment records from May 2016 to the present and to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his right knee disability.

The Board has denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a lumbar spine disability due to VA treatment, but has remanded the case for additional development regarding compensation for a right leg disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and assessments of his service-connected conditions, particularly regarding functional loss during flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient examinations and opinions regarding his stomach, skin, and low back disabilities. The issues include service connection for a stomach disability (gastroenteritis and GERD), a skin disability (atopic dermatitis and seborrheic dermatitis), and a low back disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The decision is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's low back disorder is being reviewed again as it may be related to his service.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder and low back disorders, finding no evidence of a present disability or causal relationship to service.

The Veteran's previously denied claims for right shoulder, low back, and right ear hearing loss have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,A reopened claim for a low back disorder has been identified.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for a left shoulder condition, low back condition, and left knee condition due to the need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD has been reopened and granted, with a 50% rating effective as of an earlier date. Other claims remain pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a medical examination.