Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's evaluation for his thoracolumbar spine disability was restored to 40 percent effective January 1, 2017. The Board found that the reduction from 40 percent to 20 percent was not proper and denied an evaluation in excess of 40 percent.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including knee disabilities and a TBI, have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The issues include right knee osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, aggravation of preexisting migraine headaches, low back disability, right ankle disability, and traumatic brain injury.

The Veteran has elected to withdraw his appeals for various service connection claims, including those related to lung disorders, TBI, headaches, eye and teeth disorders, back issues, ankle and foot problems, and hearing loss.

The Board denied increased ratings for the service-connected low back disability and residuals of a left rib fracture, finding that the Veteran's range of motion did not warrant higher ratings based on pain or other functional limitations.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and evaluations for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. The effective dates for the grants of service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss remain denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection for lumbar spine disability and the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his chronic lumbar strain with spondylosis is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder, including as secondary to the service-connected left knee strain, due to lack of evidence showing that the Veteran's current back disability was caused or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and bilateral ankle disorder due to new evidence received since the April 2009 denial. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted, but the back and right knee disability secondary to left knee disability are remanded for further examination.

The Board has denied service connection for a nasal disorder, deviated septum. The Veteran's claims of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical and lumbar spine, right leg disorder, bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type 2, and skin cancer are remanded due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for low back disability, bilateral hip disabilities, GERD, and diabetes mellitus. The Veteran is also facing a remand for his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 20 percent prior to June 6, 2018. From June 6, 2018, the rating remains at 20 percent. The Board has also remanded for further examination and opinion regarding TDIU due to multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's service connection claims for plantar fasciitis of both feet, a low back disability, conjunctivitis, laryngitis, COPD, headaches, and a dental condition due to new evidence received after the last decision.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including review of new service treatment records and issuance of a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC).

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of prescription medications purchased in Pakistan is denied because the medications are not used for a service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and granted service connection for tinnitus. The lumbar spine disability was not found to be related to service, while the tinnitus was found to have been incurred during service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for recurrent lumbar strain, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and migraine headaches have been denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 10% for recurrent lumbar strain since November 2009, with a 30% rating granted since April 29, 2014 for his migraines.