Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, which is secondary to a service-connected post-operative tibial fracture with recurrent cellulitis.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for degenerative disc disease L4-5 and L5-S1 was denied as his disability does not more nearly approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has granted the reopening of the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, but denied the claim itself due to lack of evidence linking it to active duty service.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for lumbar spine disability and TDIU claim were both denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for the lumbar spine disability, as there was no unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes meeting the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining complete service treatment records and providing an opinion on whether the Veteran's current back diagnosis is related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU related to his lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the addition of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine, cervical spine, left hip, and right hip disorders due to insufficient evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, degenerative bone disease, numbness of the legs, and acquired psychiatric disabilities. The VA examiner found no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal due to incomplete VA examinations. The appeals for initial ratings of more than 10 percent for his knee and back disorders, as well as PTSD with depression, are now pending.

The appeals regarding service connection for various conditions have been reopened, but the claims are still pending as new evidence has not established a clear link to military service. The rating for GERD remains unchanged.

The Veteran's service connection claims for allergies and a back disability were denied. The hearing loss claim was denied, but the issue of service connection is being remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal, and thus has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of PTSD, TDIU, Degenerative Disc and Joint Disease, and Radiculopathy were dismissed as the Veteran withdrew these appeals at a Board hearing.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back condition, finding that it was incurred in service and resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for right knee arthritis and lumbar spine arthritis, finding no evidence of their presence in service or a relationship to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on all claims related to service connection for various conditions, including type 2 diabetes mellitus, depression (previously claimed as nervous disorder), skin rash/fungus, left leg disorder, right leg disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a back disorder.

The Veteran's service connection claims for low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, asthma, diabetes mellitus, right knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disability are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives regarding obtaining records of a motor vehicle accident during active duty.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and incomplete records. The appellant is seeking service connection for various conditions, including a bilateral foot disorder, PTSD, hernia residuals, back disorder, congestive heart failure, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, type II diabetes mellitus, and migraine headaches.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a right shoulder condition, fracture of the right-hand pinky, lower back condition, right knee condition, and right ankle condition. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions based on in-service injuries.