Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back disorder. The bilateral hip and right knee disorders are remanded due to potential proximate cause from his previously service-connected left knee and low back conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic low back strain has worsened, and a remand is necessary to determine the current severity of her condition and whether it can be directly attributed to her original service-connected injury.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability has been reopened, but the case is remanded due to insufficient evidence. The case regarding colorectal and metastatic bone cancers is also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and PTSD, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his claimed disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) because he failed to report for multiple VA examinations in October 2015 without good cause and entitlement to TDIU could not be established without current VA examinations.

The Board has determined that service connection is not granted for a back disorder as there is no evidence to support its onset during or related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle sprain, loss of smell and taste, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions on these issues.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional testing and information regarding flare-ups.

The Veteran's service connection claim for TBI and IBS was granted, with a rating of 30 percent assigned for IBS. The claims for low back disability, right ankle disability, and skin disability of the right foot are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a lower back disability due to an incomplete examination and lack of supporting evidence. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all relevant records, provide the Veteran with a VA examination, and determine if his current back disability was caused by his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back condition and headache condition are not service-connected. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral otitis media, tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety), tinea, verruca vulgaris with angiokeratoma, respiratory condition, and hypertension have been remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection has been dismissed due to their death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and sinusitis with associated headaches and allergies have been reopened. The claim for service connection for the low back disability is denied, while the claim for service connection for sinusitis with associated headaches and allergies is granted.

Service connection is granted for bilateral shoulder conditions, low back condition, cervical spine condition (claimed as neck condition), head injury, and headache condition.,Service connection is granted for a low back condition.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and right knee disorder. The VA examinations provided in response to previous remands did not adequately address the medical opinions submitted by private physicians supporting the Veteran's claims. Additionally, relevant treatment records from Dr. J.M. have not been obtained.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance due to his service-connected lumbar spine disability brace is denied because there is no evidence that the brace wears or tears his clothing.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability and denied it. The evidence does not establish that the current condition is related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to the need for updated VA examinations to determine the current nature and severity of her service-connected cervical spine disability, lumbosacral spine disability, left knee degenerative joint disease, right knee degenerative joint disease, and PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development.,Effective date determinations will be addressed separately.