Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbar spine disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, and both knees. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and conducting examinations. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's cervical spine DDD, bilateral cervical myelopathy, right upper extremity radiculopathy, inflammatory arthritis, fibromyalgia, and allergic rhinitis are all granted service connection. The issue of service connection for a heart disability is remanded.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's back and right knee disabilities, as well as the current severity of his left knee disability. The claims for service connection and increased rating will be remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the inextricably intertwined issues of service connection and whether the Appellant has status as a veteran for VA purposes. The AOJ is instructed to request specific details from the Appellant regarding his claimed disabilities and their potential relationship to his military service, including which periods of ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA he believes are relevant.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for low back condition as new and material evidence was not presented, despite additional medical information being available.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for her lumbar spine disability prior to January 26, 2016 is denied. The left hip disorder claim has been remanded due to inadequate December 2015 VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claim for a new medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's low back disability is due to service, including if it was aggravated by service.

The Board has previously remanded the case to obtain service treatment records from Beale Air Force Base for the Veteran's left knee and back disabilities. The AOJ made multiple attempts but failed to locate these records, leading to a remand for further efforts.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder and lumbar strain disabilities due to incomplete medical records and insufficient examination opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his low back disability, an earlier effective date for the increased rating, and initial ratings and effective dates for hypertension and headaches. The claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases due to missing VA treatment records and requests for SSA disability benefits. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for low back and upper back disorders.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions in the previous VA examinations. The Veteran's low back disorder, bilateral leg disorders, groin disorder, dizzy spells/vertigo/Meniere’s syndrome, and migraine headaches are all being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to conflicting evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current respiratory, low back, left ankle, and right ankle conditions are related to his active military service.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for residuals of lumbar strain from March 2, 2010 to May 18, 2018 is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for residuals of lumbar strain from May 18, 2018 is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for residuals of cervical strain from March 2, 2010 is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and remanded the issues of rating in excess of 10 percent for epididymitis and TDIU. The Veteran is to be afforded new VA examinations.

Service connection for PTSD is granted. The Veteran's stroke residuals are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected low back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the onset and continuity of the claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's back pain was severe and worsening, requiring immediate medical attention. The VA facility did not provide the necessary treatment, so she sought care at a private hospital where she received additional treatment and medication.