Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar spine, bilateral hip, and left leg disabilities due to insufficient nexus opinions provided by VA examiners.

The Veteran's disability rating for his lumbar spine condition was restored from 10% to 40%, effective June 1, 2014. The Board found the reduction improper due to procedural errors and granted restoration of the original rating.

The Veteran's service connection for major depressive disorder, tinnitus, and migraine headaches is granted with specific ratings. The rating for migraine headaches is set at 50%, while the rating for major depressive disorder is set at 70%. Service connection for these conditions was reopened based on new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between his service-connected psychiatric disability and his claimed conditions. The issues include left pelvic girdle disorder/lumbar scoliosis, chronic hemorrhoids, and chronic anemia.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, as there are potential unverified periods of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) and inadequacy in previous opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have worsened, and additional evidence is needed to determine if he requires aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining retrospective opinions on the severity of the Veteran's left knee disability and an examination to assess whether his cervical spine disability is caused or aggravated by his service-connected orthopedic disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and right hip condition, as secondary to his left knee condition due to insufficient medical opinions in prior examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability of degenerative disc disease (DDD) and right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the now service-connected back disability. The appeal is dismissed for the neck disability, hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and arthritis was granted, subject to controlling regulations governing the payment of monetary awards. The symptoms of the Veteran’s service-connected lumbar spine disability most closely approximate forward flexion to 30 degrees or less.

The Veteran's back disability is granted service connection, but the issues of sciatica in both lower extremities are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, but the specific ratings and effective dates are not provided in this decision.

The Board has granted the Veteran's applications to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for generalized arthritis, low back disorder, and myalgia. Service connection is now granted for rheumatoid arthritis. The remaining issues of service connection are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for cervical strain with disc disease and traumatic arthritis, as well as claims for service connection for various conditions, were denied. The Veteran was also denied a temporary total evaluation for his right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his service-connected low back disability with bilateral sacroiliac joint disease is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of additional evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back, left knee, and right knee disabilities. The effective date is not specified as it was previously denied in a final decision.

The Board denied service connection for neck disability, low back disability, and bilateral knee disability. Service connection was granted for tinnitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding insufficient evidence to support a relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for various disabilities, including shoulder, elbow, spine, and ankle issues, as well as gastrointestinal and migraine headaches, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to ensure that all relevant medical records are obtained and for examinations to assess the current severity of the Veteran's knee and spine disabilities.