Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disability is at least as likely as not related to his military service, and thus granted service connection for a back condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and evaluation due to the need for a new VA examination regarding his service-connected disabilities, specifically related to his lower extremities. The issues of eligibility for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation and special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance are also being remanded.

The Veteran's initial ratings for left shoulder and back disabilities were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for her cervical spine, lumbar spine, left hip, and left knee disabilities as well as her respiratory disorder due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bipolar disorder was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.,Her initial evaluation for lumbar myofascial syndrome remains at 10 percent, but the case is remanded for further development.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of tinnitus, hypertension, and back condition due to withdrawal by the Veteran during a videoconference hearing. The claim for back condition was denied as there is no evidence that it manifested in service or was aggravated therein.

The Veteran's claim for a rating of 70 percent or higher for PTSD has been granted. The other claims have been remanded.

The Veteran's initial ratings for her back, neck, left knee, and right knee disabilities have been denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The appeals were remanded multiple times but are now being reviewed again.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 40 percent, and his right and left lower extremity sciatica are each rated at 20 percent. The Veteran also received a TDIU rating.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability. The issues of service connection for left shoulder and right thigh disabilities, as well as the rating for bilateral hearing loss, are remanded due to need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral foot disorder and an upper and lower back disorder were denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, and denied both conditions on the merits.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for further development due to incomplete medical records and the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's shin splints are not currently diagnosed and were not present during service.,The Veteran's lumbar spine condition is not related to service, as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or connection to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's cervical spine condition was not present during service and has no relation to any in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's bilateral knee condition did not develop during service and is not linked to any in-service injury or disease.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and right foot disability.

The Board has granted service connection for left hip and low back disabilities on a secondary basis to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus. The case is remanded for further development related to initial ratings for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, as well as TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and cervical spine disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions and missing VA records. The Veteran will be provided a new VA opinion to determine if his current conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further examinations. The issues of service connection for chronic pain syndrome, post concussive headache syndrome, and sleep apnea are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues regarding an overpayment of VA compensation benefits and a rating for degenerative disc disease. The overpayment issue will be addressed separately.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection, including anxiety, PTSD, depression, bilateral shin splints, a right shoulder condition, a back condition, sinus conditions, sleep apnea, and pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB).

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and his bilateral hearing loss has been granted. Service connection is denied for low back disability, cervical radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, cervical radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, and right knee retropatellar syndrome.