Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for a back condition was denied. The Board found no new and material evidence since the August 1980 rating decision, which denied the claim due to preexisting conditions not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and thoracolumbar or cervical spine disability are all granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a back disorder, right knee disorder, and left ankle disorder have been denied. The Board has remanded these issues.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine the current nature and severity of the Veteran's service-connected back and bilateral knee disabilities. The examination should include range of motion studies in active motion, passive motion, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, post total shoulder arthroplasty, is granted a 50% rating effective November 1, 2016. The Veteran’s left shoulder impingement syndrome and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease are denied for the period prior to November 1, 2016. Service connection for a neck condition is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, numbness and tingling, and hypertension. The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded.,A VA examination is needed to determine if any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service or due to sleep apnea and/or tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for a back disability is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for hypertension is denied.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disorder and an increased rating for lumbar spine herniated disc. The Veteran's right shoulder disorder was not found to be caused by service, while the lumbar spine condition met criteria for a 10% disability rating.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is not service-connected, and his claim for SMC was denied as he does not meet the criteria for aid and attendance or permanent bedridden status.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from tending to his daily activities, thus he does not require regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's low back condition, including lumbago and muscle weakness, is related to his service. However, the VA examiner needs to review all relevant records and determine if these conditions are directly related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip replacement, right hip disability, and low back disability were denied. The claim for increased rating of PTSD and depressive disorder was also denied.

The Board has decided that there is insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran's back, left hand, and neck disorders are related to his service-connected right shoulder disorder. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further adjudication of the issue regarding an increased rating for lumbar strain, including consideration of whether there was clear and unmistakable error in reducing the disability rating from 20% to 10%. The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and obstructive sleep apnea are still pending.

The DIC claim is denied as the Veteran was not continuously rated totally disabled for the 10 years immediately preceding death. The cause of death remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between service-connected conditions and the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for left shoulder, right shoulder, and low back disabilities were denied. The RO found that the Veteran’s conditions did not meet the criteria for a disability rating higher than 30 percent for his left shoulder, 20 percent for his right shoulder, or any level above 20 percent for his low back prior to November 29, 2016. However, he was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities. The Veteran is seeking higher ratings for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability and allergic rhinitis, as well as a rating for allergic rhinitis. The Veteran is also required to provide authorization for release of information regarding any outstanding private or VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left hand, back, neck, and bilateral hip disabilities due to a lack of medical records from the Veteran's incarceration period.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran needs aid and attendance or is permanently housebound due to his service-connected disabilities.