Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle disorder and back disorder are not related to his active service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a direct or secondary relationship to service.

The Veteran's rating for chronic lumbar strain with L-5 spondylolisthesis was reduced from 40 percent to 10 percent. The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and radiculopathy has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability. Additional evidence and a new examination are needed.

The Board has decided that further development is needed to determine the Veteran's service connection claims for cervical spine disability, lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, and right leg disability. The VA will obtain relevant medical records and conduct examinations to assess these claims.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, finding no evidence that it was incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis and IVDS of the thoracolumbar spine, and left lower extremity radiculopathy have worsened since his last VA examination in December 2016. The Board has ordered a new VA examination to evaluate the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates are being remanded due to the need for retrospective medical opinions regarding his undiagnosed illness and its relationship to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection related to his lumbar spine, cervical spine, right ankle, hearing loss, diabetes, erectile dysfunction, chronic urination (neurogenic bladder), and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral feet require further examination and opinion due to inadequate previous examinations.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted and she is assigned a 40 percent rating for her lumbar spine disability. The decision also grants separate ratings of 10 percent for radiculopathy in the left lower extremity.

The Board has reopened claims for service connection for back condition, left eye condition, GERD, acquired psychiatric disorder, arthritis, right leg pain, and left ankle pain. The claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for impairment of the right knee is remanded, as is the claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for Osgood Schlatter's Disease of the right knee.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease and punctured nerve are related to his service-connected migraine headaches, but more evidence is needed for a final decision.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder, lumbar, thoracic, and cervical spine disabilities as there was no evidence of a relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's active service.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar strain, but denied service connection for right shoulder disorder and headaches and dizziness.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disorder, finding that there was no evidence of chronic symptoms since service and no link between current condition and service.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a low back disability due to insufficient medical evidence regarding its onset and relationship to service. The Veteran is asked to provide additional medical records, including from her chiropractor.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability was reopened, and the Board found that new evidence supports a finding of secondary service connection. The current back disability is not related to active service or the service-connected left leg disability.

The Veteran's spondylosis of the thoracolumbar spine is granted at a 20 percent rating, effective May 2, 2011. A higher rating for this condition is denied. The TDIU appeal is dismissed.