Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disorders, as well as eye allergies. The Veteran is required to report for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders, as well as a back disorder due to secondary effects of service-connected left ankle disability. Additional evidence is needed to determine the existence and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and left ankle disability due to insufficient examination reports. The VA is instructed to obtain updated treatment records, verify periods of active duty, and schedule new examinations.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected chronic lumbar strain and right ankle disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition, including range of motion and any associated neurologic impairments.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected lumbosacral disc disease and PTSD, as well as his TDIU and special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance have been remanded due to procedural issues and the need for additional examinations.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD as he withdrew his appeal.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back strain and a heart condition, as well as pes planus, were granted. Service connection was also denied for hyperlipidemia.

Your claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability has been granted, but the issue is now moot as it has already been resolved.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back condition and mood disorder due to inadequate rationale in the previous VA examination, lack of discussion on a second motor vehicle accident, and need for updated treatment records.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claim for a low back disability is remanded.,The claim for an initial rating greater than 10 percent for tinnitus remains denied as the appellant is already receiving the maximum schedular rating.,The claim for a low back disability is remanded due to lack of evidence on record regarding its onset and etiology during service.,The claim for a right lazy eye is remanded due to lack of evidence on record regarding its onset and etiology during service.,The claims for migraines (including as aggravated by tinnitus) and psychiatric disability (including as aggravated by tinnitus) are both remanded due to the need for further medical examination and opinion.,The claim for an effective date earlier than May 29, 2013, for service connection of tinnitus is remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran has current diagnoses of thoracolumbar spine disability and right knee disability, and whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to further development being necessary, including obtaining STRs and private medical records. The appeals are now pending again.

The Board has added new evidence to the record and finds that remand is necessary for further development on multiple service connection claims.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability with disk herniation and DDD is granted on the basis of aggravation of a preexisting disorder. The nonservice-connected pension claim is denied, and the TDIU claim is remanded.

The Veteran's neck disability was granted a rating of 30 percent from August 14, 2009 to October 7, 2014. From December 1, 2014, the rating for his neck disability is also 30 percent. The back disability received a rating of 30 percent from August 1, 2017 to December 8, 2017.

The Veteran's appeal is granted to grant an initial rating of 20 percent for thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis with IVDS with strain, and separate initial ratings of 20 percent each for left knee osteoarthritis with subluxation and right knee osteoarthritis with subluxation. The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for limitation of motion of the right knee is denied. The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 10 percent for sciatica of the right lower extremity is also denied. The Board has remanded his claims for TDIU and increased ratings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and right leg disorder have been reopened. The appeal is denied as the evidence does not support finding that his current right leg disorder was caused or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's migraines and vertigo are granted as service-connected.,Effective dates for the grants of service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease are denied.,Service connection is granted for a left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder. Effective dates for these conditions are not granted as the Veteran did not file claims prior to July 7, 2014.,The Veteran's hypertension, anxiety, and depression are remanded for further development.

The Veteran requested to withdraw all his appeals regarding service connection for various conditions. As a result, the Board dismissed the appeal.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, blood disorder, penis deformity, renal disability, anemia, purpura, poliomyelitis (claimed as secondary to Camp Lejeune), lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and PTSD.