Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for meralgia paresthesias, gout, and residuals of right ankle sprain were dismissed. The claim for service connection for a right ankle disability was remanded. Appeals for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, left leg radiculopathy, and left shoulder impingement syndrome with rotator cuff tendonitis and degenerative joint disease remain in appellate status.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination to determine if service connection can be established for lower back disability and PTSD.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for low back and left knee disabilities have been reopened, but the issues remain remanded due to insufficient evidence.,The effective date for a 40 percent rating for traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains September 27, 2011.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's back condition, left hip pain, vision loss, and cerebrovascular condition. The issues are inextricably intertwined with other claims.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to insufficient evidence and to obtain a new VA examination for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, finding that there was no evidence of chronic symptoms in service or within one year after discharge. The VA and private medical opinions concluded that the current back disorders are not related to service.

The Board denied reopening the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a low back injury, bilateral pes planus, and urethritis due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran is seeking service connection for various disabilities, including a back disability, associated radiculopathy in both lower extremities, left shoulder disability, right ankle disability, and right tendon condition.

The Veteran's hip and lumbar spine disabilities have been remanded for further evaluation due to inadequate examination records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for osteopenia was denied. The Board found that osteopenia alone is not a disability warranting VA compensation benefits and there was no underlying disease or injury to which the osteopenia could be related. The claims for increased ratings were remanded due to incomplete examination reports.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a chronic left knee disorder, lumbar spine disorder, upper gastroesophageal disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of a current disability or a link to active service.,There is no medical evidence showing the Veteran had any chronic left knee disorder during his military service or at any time since then.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus, type II is denied.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction (claimed as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus) is not granted. The request to reopen the claim of service connection for this condition is also denied.,Service connection for tinnitus is denied.,Service connection for multiple sclerosis is denied.,Service connection for sleep apnea is denied.,Service connection for a low back disability is denied.,Service connection for a skin condition is denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to new evidence and issues related to service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to the Veteran's failure to appear at a scheduled videoconference hearing and his testimony during a July 2016 DRO hearing. The issues are related to pain in various body parts, including back, left elbow, left knee, and right leg, which is attributed to VA medical treatment.

The Board has denied service connection for a back disability and remanded the neck disability claim. The neck disability claim is now pending again, requiring issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis of hearing loss that meets VA criteria.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral flat feet remains in appellate status and requires further development due to the need for a supplemental examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar strain (low back condition) is remanded as the VA examiner did not adequately address potential contributory factors from a motor vehicle accident during service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, anxiety and depression remains in appellate status and requires further development due to the need for a supplemental examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities related to his in-service motor vehicle accidents and therefore denied service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, and right hip disabilities. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding residuals of a head injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities related to his in-service motor vehicle accidents and therefore denied service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, and right hip disabilities. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding residuals of a head injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities related to his in-service motor vehicle accidents and therefore denied service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, and right hip disabilities. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding residuals of a head injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities related to his in-service motor vehicle accidents and therefore denied service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, and right hip disabilities. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding residuals of a head injury.