Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's lumbar strain has been rated at noncompensable for the appeal period. The Board granted a rating of 20 percent, but no more, based on his measurable range of motion throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and further evaluation is needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for right shoulder, back, left knee, and right knee disabilities need to be reconsidered due to additional relevant records not being considered in previous decisions.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to January 29, 2015. The evidence showed that his range of motion was within normal limits and he did not have muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or spinal contour.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and failure to consider all relevant medical evidence, including the Veteran's reports of recurrent back pain in his service discharge report.

The Board has denied service connection for lower back disability and remanded the claims of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder and a vestibular disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and headaches are currently rated as non-compensable. The VA has ordered a remand to evaluate the current limitations and functional impact from her disabilities, including any flare-ups.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a back disorder, and tinnitus. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for malignant melanoma with metastatic brain tumor and a back disability were denied. The claim for malignant melanoma was not granted as there is no evidence of a nexus to service, while the claim for a back disability was also denied due to lack of evidence.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities due to new evidence and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hand disability is granted as service-connected, but the rating remains at 20 percent. The prostate cancer claim is remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD) with radiculopathy and spinal fusion, as well as left elbow condition. The case is remanded to obtain updated medical records and to provide a VA examination to determine the current severity of hypertension.

The Board has granted the petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for low back disability, but denied the claim itself due to lack of evidence showing a relationship between the current condition and active service.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are granted service connection as they are related to his military service. The left ankle and right ankle disabilities are denied as there is no current disability found.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of his cervical and lumbar spine disabilities due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions, particularly in relation to his service-connected shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and earlier effective dates for service connection are being remanded due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a back disability and right leg radiculopathy were granted. The Board found that the Veteran had current disabilities, an in-service occurrence of injury or disease (back pain), and a nexus between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left thigh injury, strain, and osteoarthritis as well as a back disability are denied. The claim for reopening the left thigh/hip condition is also denied.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and clarification are needed for the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for insomnia disorder, low back and radiculopathy disabilities, and TDIU. The claims are being remanded to allow for further evaluation.