Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claims for low back disability, sciatic nerve condition, left foot disability, and headaches. The claims are now remanded to obtain additional medical evidence.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia is rated at the maximum schedular rating, and his avitaminosis and chronic fatigue syndrome claims are denied. The Board finds that a remand is necessary for further examination regarding his degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome, migraines, irritable bowel syndrome, and sleep apnea.,The Veteran's service connection claims for fibromyalgia, avitaminosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, and irritable bowel syndrome are denied. The Board finds that a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum opinion regarding his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for renal condition, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, bilateral pes planus, lumbar degenerative disc disease, and bilateral knee disabilities have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence.,These issues are being remanded as there is insufficient evidence to make a determination on their merits.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various disabilities, including low back, knee, ankle, and foot injuries, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's increased rating and initial disability ratings for his lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy of the lower extremities have been denied by the Board.

The Board has granted service connection for tinea pedis, but the other issues related to ankle, knee, and spine disorders are remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, an upper and lower back disorder, hypertension, and remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's conditions and their relationship to his military service. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee condition, back condition, neck condition, or cervical radiculopathy.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his tinnitus, lumbar spine condition, right knee condition, left ankle sprain, and dermatitis. The Board will consider the evidence in light of the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence that suggests his back, nasal, and ankle conditions may be related to service. The Veteran will need to undergo additional examinations to determine if these conditions are indeed linked to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to November 17, 2004 for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine from October 15, 2018 is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and residuals of a chest injury, finding that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is proximately due to or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder strain with radiculopathy, degenerative arthritis of the spine with spondylosis, and cervical spine degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions are being remanded for further examination and rating considerations.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left arm disability and back disability. The claims are also being referred to determine if an extraschedular TDIU rating is warranted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability, specifically his range of motion findings during flare-ups and neurological manifestations. The VA examiner is required to provide these details.

The Veteran's appeals for back disorder, right knee condition, and left knee condition have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasons and bases for denying service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine. The Veteran's other diagnosed conditions are also being considered.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and remanded his PTSD claim. The case is being returned to VA for further development.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to outstanding VA treatment records and updated SSA records. The Veteran's substance abuse and CAD are also being reviewed for secondary service connection.