Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient examination for determining the severity of the Veteran's low back disability and its impact on his employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, migraines, and various joint conditions are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether these conditions qualify as medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illnesses (MUCMI).

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, sinusitis and rhinitis, hiatal hernia with reflux esophagitis and GERD, but denied service connection for PUD. A rating of 20 percent is assigned for the Veteran's PUD since September 5, 2003.

The Veteran's disability ratings for lumbosacral spine strain with DDD and associated left leg radiculopathy were properly reduced from 40% to 20% and 20% to 0%, respectively, effective April 1, 2014.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and a need for updated treatment records. The Veteran's back disability is being reviewed to determine if it is related to an in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a clothing allowance, an initial evaluation of his lumbar spine disability, and a TDIU for the period prior to October 14, 2015. The issues are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected low back disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an examination and a retrospective opinion regarding flare-ups.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations and provide updated medical records.

The Board has previously remanded the claim multiple times, but a recent VA addendum opinion was found inadequate. The Veteran's back disability and scoliosis are being remanded again for additional medical opinions to address specific questions.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum rating available.,Left wrist osteoarthritis has been granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, and right shoulder disabilities due to pain stemming from in-service injuries. The case requires further examination to determine if these conditions are related to her military service or an undiagnosed illness.

The Board has denied service connection for a back condition and remanded the issue of secondary service connection for an eye condition (other than cataracts). The case is being returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of service connection for muscle spasms of the low back and a back condition due to the functional similarity of the issues, as they are essentially the same issue. The Veteran's claim was reopened on new evidence but ultimately denied.

The Board denied service connection for back disorder, right wrist disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and deviated septum as there is no evidence of their onset or aggravation during active duty.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's low back condition may be related to his service-connected left knee disability and has ordered further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to inadequate examinations, missing VA examination records, and new treatment records.

The Board has remanded multiple issues for further development, including service connection claims and rating determinations. The Veteran's claims are being returned to the AOJ for additional development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, with an average decibel loss of 46 in both ears.,Service connection for thoracolumbar arthritis and sleep apnea are denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a hip condition was dismissed. The claim of service connection for a lower back condition was denied.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to insufficient medical opinions and potential evidence of worsening PTSD.