Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration. The low back condition case is being remanded due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding the nature of the Veteran's post-service work as a supervisor and small parts technician, which may impact his current low back condition. The skin condition case is also being remanded because no VA examiner has provided an opinion on whether any of the Veteran’s current skin conditions are causally related to his active duty military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for myofascial pain disorder, upper back disability, and left arm numbness due to inadequate VA examination. The Veteran is required to attend his scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.,Service connection is not granted for a bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, right shoulder disorder, right elbow disorder, lumbar spine disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to address the Veteran's low back disability due to incomplete information and inadequate previous examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of hearing loss and low back disorder were denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder has been reopened. The Board found that the evidence received since the last final denial is sufficient to reopen the claim, but did not reach a decision on whether service connection should be granted due to the remanded nature of the case.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD has been withdrawn. The claim of service connection for residuals of mandibular surgery is remanded due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claims for service connection for a back disorder, left upper extremity disorder (carpal tunnel syndrome), right upper extremity disorder (carpal tunnel syndrome), and major depressive disorder are also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar stenosis and bilateral sciatic radiculopathy prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, leading to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to July 25, 1978.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of her service-connected lumbar spine, right ankle strain, left ankle DJD, and urinary incontinence are not properly before the Board due to a procedural issue. The issues related to these conditions have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his major depressive disorder and spinal conditions, rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment as of December 21, 2016.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to insufficient opinions regarding workplace limitations and functional impairment of service-connected conditions since 2008.

The Board dismissed all appeals due to the Veteran's death.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating prior to August 13, 2018, and a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter for lumbar strain with DDD, as well as his claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for IBS.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination and the retrieval of additional service records. The Veteran's back condition is being reviewed to determine if it is related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals from shaving bumps, a low back disability, and a psychiatric disability due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's death was caused by a motor vehicle accident, and the appellant contends that his service-connected seizure disorder contributed to the accident. The Board has remanded for an addendum opinion from a VA physician regarding the etiology of the Veteran’s cause of death.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and osteoarthritis of bilateral knees are granted as service connected.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral shoulder condition and an upper back condition due to inadequate VA medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's claim is also being considered for an increased initial disability rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claims for clothing allowances for sensory aids and a back brace used for service-connected disabilities were denied as there was no evidence of wear and tear on the clothing.