Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as bilateral hand tremors due to service connection issues. Additional VA medical opinions are needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's CAD, lumbar spine disability, and hypothyroidism are all rated at their maximum allowable levels. The Veteran does not have a compensable rating for GERD with hiatal hernia or left ear hearing loss.,VA has determined that the Veteran's conditions do not warrant ratings in excess of those currently assigned.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied. The Board has found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss, and remanded the issues regarding degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine and left knee lateral meniscectomy.

The Veteran's hypertension, dermatological disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and left shoulder disorder are all found to be preexisting conditions. The Board has determined that the claims for these conditions must be remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar spine IVDS was granted, with a 40 percent rating effective October 8, 2019. A TDIU was also granted effective February 1, 2013.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the current condition is not related to service and there was no evidence of chronicity in service.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar and cervical disabilities due to incomplete records. The Veteran is required to provide authorization for private treatment records from Dr. W.W.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a failure to cooperate in scheduling VA examinations. The appellant and his representative provided reasons related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which led to the decision to remand.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of various conditions, including low back disability, right inguinal hernia repair, GERD, diabetes mellitus, CAD, neck disability, hypertension, hemorrhoids, renal failure, and colitis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for memory loss was denied due to lack of a present diagnosis.,Service connection for low back disability and bilateral ingrown toenails due to onychomycosis is granted, with the latter being resolved in favor of continuity of symptoms since service.,The Veteran's right knee disability remains remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spine disability to include as secondary to residuals of left ankle sprain and right hip disability due to inadequate opinions from a VA examiner. The case is being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of clarity regarding when and where the Veteran initially filed his claims for service-connected disabilities. The appellant needs to provide additional documentation or information to substantiate her claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a left arm disorder, hemorrhoids, skin disorder (dermatitis), and lumbar cyst due to incomplete records and need for updated VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence was received to reconsider the Veteran's claims on appeal. The Veteran is currently diagnosed with left knee, lower back, and right shoulder disabilities; service treatment records confirm treatment for left knee and back conditions; and he is service connected for a right knee disability. The Board finds remand necessary due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Veteran's service connection claims for obstructive sleep apnea, lumbar spine degenerative changes, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have all been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error and will need to schedule an appropriate examiner to determine the nature and cause of the Veteran's IVDS and degenerative arthritis.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical spine, lumbar spine, left lower extremity neuropathy, left upper extremity neuropathy, and neck scar disabilities due to a predecisional duty to assist error. The Veteran's service records show in-service treatment for these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left ear hearing loss, fatigue secondary to OSA, and several other conditions have been denied. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a current disability in some of these cases.,Service connection for right elbow condition, left elbow condition, left hip condition (secondary to trochanteric bursitis), and left knee condition (secondary to patellofemoral syndrome) has also been denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for low back disability, cervical spine disability, and headaches.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his back disability was denied, with a 60% rating being granted effective February 9, 2015. The previous claims were denied prior to this date.