Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the cases for additional examinations to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder and thoracolumbar spine disabilities due to potential worsening of symptoms.

The Board has determined that an additional medical opinion is needed to clarify the nature and etiology of the appellant's back disorder, specifically whether it is related to his period of ACDUTRA from March 1990 to June 1990.

The Veteran is granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder, but denied service connection for hypertension as it did not result from his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to withdraw appeals of his evaluations for various service-connected disabilities and awarded a TDIU.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, finding that there is no evidence of chronic in-service injury or disease and no established continuity of symptomatology. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a nexus between the current condition and military service.

The Board denied service connection for both the Veteran's back disability and bilateral leg disability, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination findings for rating purposes. The Veteran's claim of a higher rating for low back strain is pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding his claimed disabilities, particularly those related to his neck and back conditions. The VA must provide additional medical opinions addressing these issues.

The Board has determined that there is at least a 50% chance (equipoise) that the Veteran's current back disorder, diagnosed as lumbar spondylosis with radiculopathy, lumbar stenosis, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, was incurred in service. The decision grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for degenerative disc disease and intervertebral disc syndrome affecting his thoracolumbar spine, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his duties as an Abrams armor crewman during active service.

The Veteran's claims for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.,Tinnitus has been granted service connection, with the Board finding that it is related to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings in excess of 10 percent for bilateral knee conditions, a low back condition, and a left ankle condition have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD).,The Veteran's major depressive disorder, NOS is found to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's neurological symptoms of the left lower extremity, including a lumbar spine disability with radiculopathy, are related to herbicide agent exposure in service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability and reopened his previously denied claim of service connection for a back disability. The Board found that the Veteran's current disability is at least as likely as not related to an injury he sustained during military service.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective from April 16, 2016, based on the evidence showing that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented her from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation prior to that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for his bilateral hand disability, left shoulder impingement syndrome with rotator cuff tear with mild bursitis, left knee status post arthroscopic repair lateral meniscus tear, and degenerative disc/joint disease of the lumbar spine due to outstanding treatment records and inadequate examination reports.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient information regarding whether the Veteran's lumbar spine condition is aggravated by his service-connected cervical fusion. The issues of surgical scars and temporary total evaluation are also being remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the service connection claim.

The Veteran's service connection for tuberculosis was denied due to lack of evidence of active disease during or after service.,Increased ratings were granted for right knee conditions, but the Veteran is still seeking higher ratings.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded because the Board found that an independent medical expert opinion is needed to determine if his additional disabilities, including a low back disorder, back abscess, and infection, were caused by VA treatment. The claims will be reviewed based on the merits of the service connection.