Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for an upper back condition, finding that the evidence did not establish a nexus between the current disability and service. The Veteran's claim was reopened due to new evidence submitted since the previous denial.

The Board denied service connection for a thoracic spine disability, finding no evidence linking the current condition to service or any qualifying period of service.,Service connection was granted for low back pain, with the VA examiner concluding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his in-service injury.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations conducted in October 2017 did not sufficiently address the Veteran's lay statements regarding his in-service onset of symptoms and the use of ill-fitting footwear. The claim is being remanded for additional VA examinations to consider all evidence, including the Veteran's lay statements.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and providing addendum opinions regarding service connection for a low back disability and increases in ratings for left leg DVT.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's low back disability and his left ankle disability, as well as a need for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various shoulder, elbow, wrist, knee, and spine disabilities due to new medical evidence. The cases are now remanded for further development.,New evidence supports reopening of the Veteran’s claims for service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, left elbow, right elbow, left wrist, right wrist, left knee, right knee, left ankle, cervical spine, and lumbar disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and reopened the claim of service connection for kidney stones. An effective date of April 21, 2017, is assigned for a 30% rating for right shoulder impingement syndrome, which was increased from 20%. The Veteran's right shoulder disability now warrants a 40% rating due to additional limitation during flare-ups.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including a new VA examination and consideration of the Veteran's objection to the date assigned for his increase.

The Board denied service connection for back, neck, and headaches disabilities. The Board also denied service connection for numbness in the left leg, right leg, left arm, and right arm due to insufficient evidence of current disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate findings regarding functional loss during flare-ups of the Veteran's low lumbar spine condition. The case is now pending for a supplemental opinion.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted as service-connected.,The claim for tinea cruris of the groin area has been reopened and remains on appeal.,The claims for skin rash of bilateral feet and skin rash of the back have not been reopened.,Service connection for these conditions remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his bilateral knee disabilities, lumbar spine disability, and left shoulder disability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the severity of these conditions.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD) and remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and major depression, as secondary to primary choroidal melanoma of the left eye.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for traumatic brain injury, right knee strain, left knee strain, cervical strain prior to June 17, 2016, and lumbosacral strain from June 17, 2016 due to incomplete medical opinions regarding the relationship between his service-connected disabilities and his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle and low back disabilities have been granted.,The Veteran's claims for secondary service connection for right and left hip disabilities to pes planus have also been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for another VA examination.

The Veteran's claim to reopen the service connection for lumbosacral strain is granted. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for a back disability due to new evidence received since the April 1978 rating decision.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine disability and bilateral pes planus due to incomplete service records. Additional attempts are needed to obtain his complete service record, including from his initial period of active duty.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for a back condition is granted. The Board finds that there has been evidence submitted which reasonably raises the possibility of substantiating the claim, and thus the claim is reopened. Service connection for a back condition is also granted.