Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine condition. The VA needs to provide a new opinion that addresses the Veteran's lay statements and considers his service history.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disability, bilateral knee disability, and right wrist disability due to inadequate opinions from previous VA examiners.

The Veteran is granted a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected neck and back disabilities as of February 20, 2015.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of dental disorder is dismissed. The psychiatric disorder claim, including PTSD, was reopened and granted. Service connection for depressive disorder is established. Low back disability and pseudofolliculitis barbae claims are also granted. A throat disorder claim (claimed as gastrointestinal) is pending. The left ankle disability rating remains remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete Reserve service records and outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran needs a spine examination to determine if his low back disability is related to his Reserve service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar strain myositis, central herniated nucleus pulposus at L4/L5 is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and need for further medical opinions regarding the appellant's character of discharge, service connection claims, and mental health status. The VA will seek additional records and conduct examinations to determine these issues.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective July 25, 2013. The Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA examination and to obtain any outstanding private medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting opinions and need for additional development. The issues include left hip avascular necrosis, right knee disability, back disability, and right hip disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise and concludes that the Veteran has PTSD due to his military service stressors, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran. The low back condition issue is remanded as it requires further examination.

The Board denied service connection for lower back disability, complex regional pain syndrome in the left leg and right leg, as well as left ankle, right ankle, left flat foot, and right flat foot disabilities.,There is no evidence of a nexus between any current disability and active service.

The Veteran's claim for traumatic arthritis of the right knee was reopened, but service connection is denied.,Service connection for a back condition and bilateral hearing loss are both denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, finding that there was not enough evidence to establish a link between his current condition and military service or a service-connected right knee disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found no evidence of current right ear hearing loss, and the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss under VA regulations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral foot disability, hypertension, lumbar spine disability, and sleep disorder due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a left wrist strain and low back disorder, finding that the evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or chronic condition.,Service connection was also denied for sinusitis. The case is now REMANDED for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for status post lumbar spine surgery and right and left lumbar radiculopathy as secondary to the now service-connected status post lumbar spine surgery, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his active duty.

The Veteran's claims for clothing allowances due to back and knee braces were denied as the evidence did not show that the braces caused abnormal wear and tear on his clothing.

Service connection for a left wrist strain and lumbosacral strain is granted.,An initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, and service connection for migraines are to be reconsidered.