Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that the Veteran failed to attend his scheduled VA examinations and has provided good cause for missing them. As such, new VA examinations are necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a supplemental opinion regarding whether the Veteran's low back disability is secondary to his service-connected bunions, pes planus and plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, which was granted for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's right knee strain and lumbar degenerative joint disease have been rated as noncompensable. The Board has ordered a new VA examination to assess the current severity of these disabilities.

Your claims for service connection for back disability and hypertension have been resolved. The Board is dismissing the appeal as both conditions are now covered by a valid rating decision.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his low back strain and TDIU are remanded due to incomplete examination, lack of treatment records from the VA Medical Center, and need for further assessment.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lower back and neck conditions, finding that these conditions began during her military service.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, currently diagnosed as MDD and PTSD. The issues include service connection for the psychiatric disorders and rating in excess of 40 percent for low back disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for initial compensable disability ratings for various service-connected disabilities due to incomplete medical records and the need for updated VA examinations.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's low back disorder may be related to service, but more evidence is needed for a final decision.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected, and her lumbar spine strain is granted a 10 percent disability rating prior to February 15, 2017, and a 20 percent disability rating from that date. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.

The Board has denied service connection for a back disorder, neck disorder, and bilateral leg disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for a lumbar spine condition, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a stomach condition due to missing treatment records and the need for further medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for CUE in the July 27, 2000 and September 16, 2015 rating decisions that granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and lumbar strain, respectively. The effective dates of October 13, 1992 and April 28, 2015 were assigned based on the Veteran's claims to reopen.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been granted. The Board found that the evidence is at least in equipoise and resolved all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, finding a current diagnosis related to an in-service stressor. Other service connection claims are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the evidence does not support a link between the condition and military service or service-connected seizures.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for the initial rating assigned for their service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, right hand disability, and gastroenteritis due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,Additional issues such as bilateral foot condition and cellulitis are also remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracolumbar and cervical spine disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his active duty service.,The Board has also remanded the issues regarding PTSD and diabetes mellitus type II, as well as the right ear hearing loss disability. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered based on additional evidence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection of spina bifida occulta with recurrent low back strain, and remanded it for further development.