Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and chronic headaches due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has denied service connection for allergies, a lumbar spine disability, cystic acne, and left ear hearing loss.,The Veteran's claims of service connection for a cervical spine disability are remanded due to inadequate VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that his current condition is not related to an in-service injury and that there is no nexus between his current degenerative lumbar spondylosis and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for DJD of the left knee, degenerative arthritis and IVDS of the cervical spine, and radiculopathy of the upper extremities (claimed as median neuritis) as these conditions are not found to be directly or secondary to a service-connected disability.,Specifically, the Board determined that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's left knee DJD, cervical spine degenerative arthritis and IVDS, or radiculopathy of the upper extremities (claimed as median neuritis) to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for his low back condition, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current disability and his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine disability due to new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development, including an addendum opinion on the etiology of the cervical spine disability and a VA examination to assess the severity of his lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's low back disability is secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disc protrusion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for skin disabilities, headaches, and a low back disability have been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions during the pendency of his claim. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for direct service connection due to lack of continuity of symptomatology or medical nexus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for vasomotor rhinitis and a back condition due to lack of notification regarding scheduled VA examinations, and because the current address information is unclear. The Veteran must be notified and given the opportunity to attend a VA examination and obtain a medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his lumbosacral strain disability is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, finding that there is no evidence of chronic disability in service or within the applicable presumptive period. The Board also found that the current low back disorder is not related to an in-service injury and is attributable to a post-service work-related injury.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for a lower back disability, finding that it is related to his active military service. The previous denial was overturned due to new evidence submitted since the last final decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and chronic thoracic strain due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his lumbar spine condition and TDIU status has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for the lumbar spine disability, as it did not meet the criteria for an increased rating. For TDIU, the Board noted that the combined effect of multiple service-connected disabilities prevented the Veteran from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted an initial evaluation of 10 percent prior to December 28, 2016.,From December 28, 2016 onwards, the Veteran is entitled to a 40 percent evaluation for his lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran seeks TDIU from August 1, 2011 to January 28, 2015 based on service-connected disabilities. However, the combined rating of these conditions does not meet the criteria for TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a). The case is therefore remanded for referral to the VA Director of Compensation and Pension Service for consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus was reopened. Service connection is granted for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, but not for right ear hearing loss or a rating of the lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for further examination and evaluation due to incomplete testing in previous examinations.

The Board previously denied service connection for a low back disorder. The Court granted a Joint Motion for Remand, requiring the VA to obtain medical records and schedule an examination.

The Board has remanded the cases due to non-compliance with previous directives regarding service connection for thoracolumbar spine and right hip disabilities. The claims are now pending again.