Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure. The claims are being returned for further development as per the January 2018 remand directive.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's low back and respiratory disabilities. The VA needs to obtain updated records of treatment, conduct new examinations, and provide adequate medical opinions.

The Board has decided the claim is remanded due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives and the need for an adequate opinion regarding the etiology of any diagnosed back condition.

The Board has found that the Veteran's voiding dysfunction, lumbar spine disability, finger disabilities of the right hand and left hand, and diabetes mellitus, type II do not meet the criteria for service connection. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional development.

The Veteran's TBI, headaches, intervertebral disc disease of the lumbar spine, right knee strain, tinnitus, left wrist sprain, right wrist sprain, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity have led to a TDIU being granted. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities significantly impair his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus and a combined evaluation of his disabilities are granted effective November 2, 2014. The issue of a combined 30 percent rating is dismissed as moot.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back condition, finding that it is proximately due to his service-connected cerebrovascular accident and hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating, service connection for left shoulder disability, neuropathy of the left upper extremity (ulnar), back disability, and neck disability are all remanded due to new evidence received since the last denial. The Veteran is also granted to reopen his claims for service connection for left shoulder disability, left ulnar nerve disability, and back disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability rating for lumbosacral strain, service connection for left ankle disability, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Board has found that the Veteran's heart disorder, left shoulder disorder, back disorder, and left knee disorder are not related to his military service or secondary to his service-connected left hallux valgus. The case is being remanded for additional medical opinions regarding these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and thus his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hypertension, multiple orthopedic conditions, glaucoma, tinnitus, and anxiety with insomnia, have not rendered her unemployable since she retired from the Army in April 2013.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back disability, rheumatoid arthritis, and bilateral hand pain. The conditions are found to be related to military service due to aggravation of pre-existing conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder disability and a low back disability, but denied service connection for right shoulder and right knee disabilities.

The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for bipolar I disorder effective April 28, 2012. The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder results in total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, and back conditions due to a lack of VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's low back disability with radiculopathy is related to VA spine surgeries and associated care. The case will be reviewed by a qualified spine surgeon who should provide an opinion on the likelihood of additional disabilities resulting from VA treatment, including negligence or similar instances.

The Board has decided to remand several claims, including those for increased ratings and TDIU. The main issues are related to the Veteran's heart condition and spine conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for his back, ankle, right knee, and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the severity of his lumbar spine disability, the relationship between his ankle and knee disabilities and his active duty service, and whether his bilateral pes planus or back disability aggravates his knee disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for right hip and low back disorders, finding no in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.