Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hypertension and therefore denied service connection for this condition. The cases for back, reflux, migraine headaches, and bilateral hand numbness are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the use of left knee and low back braces. The clothing allowance appeal for both braces is remanded due to lack of evidence regarding wear and tear on clothing.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected thoracolumbar disability (claimed as lumbar strain) is remanded due to inadequate examination reports. The issue of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, secondary to the thoracolumbar disability, is also referred back to the RO.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right wrist disorder, OSA, HTN, and lumbar disc disease has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The claims are granted.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to April 8, 2014 is being referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extra-schedular consideration due to his unemployability caused by service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination. The Veteran's low back disability is being reviewed, but more information is needed from his medical history.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder and other service-connected conditions have resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a TDIU rating. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU prior to July 6, 2015 is remanded for further review.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's lumbar strain should be remanded for further examination and evaluation, as well as his TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim on appeal. The claims will be remanded until these issues are addressed.

The Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as associated radiculopathies of the sciatic and femoral nerves, are not rated higher than 10 percent prior to May 22, 2014. The issues related to these conditions have been remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral callosities, degenerative disc disease, and lumbar radiculopathy due to incomplete consideration of his TDIU claim. The AOJ must issue an SSOC addressing all issues on appeal.

The Board has granted the reopening of the claim for service connection for a back disability and has also granted service connection for residuals of a head injury, to include concussion. The decision is based on new evidence provided by the Veteran that supports his claims.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that the evidence did not establish an in-service event or injury associated with the Veteran's current disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability has been reopened, but the appeal is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his current back condition and whether it is secondary to his service-connected left hip disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury, neck condition, and back condition are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spine DJD secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disability was granted. Additionally, the temporary total evaluation of 100% assigned from January 24, 2014 through May 1, 2014 due to right knee surgery convalescence period was also granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for low back disorder, left knee strain, and right knee disability is remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The claims are also remanded for a higher rating of the right knee.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability due to an in-service injury. The Veteran is not currently service-connected for her bilateral ankle or right leg pain.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and degenerative arthritis of the spine (lumbar spine disorder) are all granted. The decision on the claim for degenerative arthritis of the spine is remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for chronic low back disability and has determined that he is entitled to this benefit. The Board found that there was sufficient evidence to establish a link between the Veteran's current condition and his military service, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and cervical spine, finding that these conditions are related to injuries sustained during active service.