Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his degenerative changes of the thoracolumbar spine and sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's major depression, opioid use disorder, and alcohol use disorder are rated at 50 percent. The disability ratings for lumbar spine degenerative joint disease with IVDS and right lower extremity radiculopathy are restored to their previous levels.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine and right knee disabilities as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his service-connected condition.

The Board has denied service connection for a back disorder, COPD with asthma, and OSA. The acquired psychiatric disability claim is remanded due to conflicting diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the claims for a bilateral hand/wrist disorder, back disorder, and neck disorder due to incomplete examinations.

The claim of service connection for a back disorder is reopened and remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has determined that the VA examination is inadequate and requires an addendum opinion to determine if the Veteran's degenerative arthritis with IVDS, lumbar spine, had its onset in service or is otherwise related to his active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and evaluation due to indications of worsening in the Veteran's service-connected back disability and right knee disability.

The Board denied service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disorders, finding that the current conditions were not related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is related to service.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder as there was no evidence showing it was incurred in or related to active duty service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims for service connection can be adjudicated on the merits. This includes obtaining VA treatment records, scheduling a hearing loss and tinnitus examination, and scheduling a lumbar spine examination.

The Board has determined that the Appellant's claimed service in the U.S. Marine Corps cannot be verified and therefore, the claim for service connection is being remanded to request verification from the U.S. Department of the Navy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for further development, including a new VA examination and medical opinion. The issues include evaluations in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, right knee degenerative changes, and left knee degenerative changes.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and potential conflicts in veteran status.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, cervical spine disorder, and thoracolumbar spine disorder due to a lack of VA examination records.

The Board has remanded the claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for C5-C6 degenerative disc disease (DDD) with spondylolysis and for TDIU due to inadequate VA examinations and issues being intertwined.

The Veteran's low back disorder, diagnosed as DDD with L5-S1 disc herniation and DJD, is related to an injury he sustained during his military service. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities are related to his military service, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a back condition, bilateral ankle condition, acquired psychiatric disorder, and bilateral eye condition due to his failure to appear for VA examinations. A new examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.