Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current allergic rhinitis and lumbosacral strain are at least as likely as not related to his service, including environmental exposures during deployment in Iraq.,Service connection is granted for a sinus disability (allergic rhinitis) and a lumbar spine disability (lumbosacral strain).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction is remanded as the VA medical opinion did not address whether it was due to or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to August 16, 2011 is remanded as the schedular requirements were not met and referral to the Director of Compensation Service under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16 (b) is required.,The Veteran's claim for basic eligibility to Chapter 35 Dependents’ Educational Assistance prior to August 16, 2011 is remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the TDIU claim.

The Board has granted service connection for a lower back condition and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions had their onset during or are etiologically related to military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination. The Veteran's lumbar disc degeneration is granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbar spine stenosis and congenital sacralization of the lowest lumbar vertebra with degenerative arthritis at worst limited flexion to 30 degrees, warranting a 40% disability rating prior to February 24, 2016 and from October 1, 2016. The Veteran's anxiety disorder NOS with alcohol use disorder is rated at 50%. A TDIU was granted.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine, right leg, and left foot disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, Degenerative Arthritis of the Lumbar Spine and Bilateral Radiculopathy, Residuals of TBI, and Tinnitus. The claims are granted to this extent. However, due to new evidence received since the last denial, the Board is remanding the Veteran's claims for service connection for Hearing Loss and Left Eye Injury.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back disability and left foot scar due to incomplete compliance with previous remand instructions.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives, specifically obtaining VA treatment records from a VA Medical Center (VAMC).

The Board has found that additional development is needed due to new VA treatment records, and the claims are being remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his lumbar spine, left shoulder, and bilateral leg conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee condition, hypertension, low back injury, and bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete treatment records. The Veteran should be afforded VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and a need for further development. The issues include osteoarthritis of the legs, spinal stenosis, and peripheral neuropathy in the lower extremities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's lumbar spine and left hip disorders are being reviewed, as is his psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a skin disability, as well as his claims of service connection for back condition, bilateral pes planus, and sleep apnea. The claims are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 were both denied, with the denial of service connection being based on a finding that no new and material evidence had been presented.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to her in-service injury and is more likely due to other factors such as age, genetics, and prior injuries.

The Veteran's back disorder was not found to be aggravated by active duty service, and his bilateral leg condition to include sciatic nerve disorder is not related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current back, heel, and mental health conditions.