Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings have been dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn all remaining issues associated with this appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that his current condition is related to an in-service injury and resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records from the Campbell Clinic regarding the Veteran's December 2016 lumbar spine surgery and follow-up care.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to inadequate opinions regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a back disability.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for a right shoulder disability and increased ratings for left hip bursitis, right hip bursitis, and lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's current 10% rating for left hip bursitis is maintained.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder disorder, right knee strain, right knee Osgood-Schlatter disease, right hamstring disorder, left hamstring disorder, and low back disorder. The Veteran's current diagnoses were not found.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck and back disabilities due to PTSD. The appeal is being returned for additional development, including obtaining an independent medical opinion from a non-VA expert.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has found that additional evidence is needed to determine if his low back and left shoulder disorders are related to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that it had its onset during his active duty and is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lower back and left eye blindness due to inadequate compliance with prior remand instructions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, COPD, and low back strain due to inadequate opinions regarding the relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The VA examinations are needed to address the Veteran's contentions of secondary service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and left lower extremity sciatica required immediate medical attention on February 15, 2016. The nearest VA facility with an emergency department was 123 miles away, making it infeasible to use them beforehand. Therefore, the Board finds that payment or reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Lehigh Regional Medical Center is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various foot, ankle, spine, and shoulder conditions have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing conditions were aggravated by his military service or caused by other service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his thoracic sprain/strain (back condition) is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the VA examination conducted in December 2019. A new examination will be scheduled in winter months and must include range of motion testing, information about flare-ups, and functional loss during flare-ups.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple issues are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including treatment records and information regarding her reported stressors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left leg, back, and neck disabilities due to insufficient evidence regarding their existence and etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition due to new evidence received since his previous denial.,The Veteran contends that he injured his back while shoveling gravel during military service, and now seeks service connection for this injury.

The Veteran's right knee disability, left knee disability, back disability, and bilateral lower extremities radiculopathy have been granted service connection. The Veteran's depression has been remanded for further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeals to reopen claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, and a dental condition (claimed as due to exposure to mercury). The evidence submitted since the August 2012 rating decision was not new or material.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions due to incomplete medical records. The Veteran is asked to provide authorization forms for Brick Hospital, Ocean Medical Center, and Dr. Chulie.