Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder/arm disability, lumbar spine disability, and headaches due to the lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during military service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for service-connected left ear hearing loss is denied. The claims of reopening service connection for cervical spine disability and right ear hearing loss, as well as the claims of service connection for lumbar spine disability (claimed as low back pain), right sciatic nerve pain, gastrointestinal disability (irritable bowel syndrome), migraine headaches, pseudofolliculitis barbae, obstructive sleep apnea, finger disability (right pinky finger dislocation), acquired psychiatric disability (depressive disorder), hair loss (alopecia), and skin rash are all denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a disability manifested by frequent urination or bladder incontinence and night sweats is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous directives, particularly regarding retrospective opinions on the Veteran's low back disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current disability for VA compensation purposes.,The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain and service connection for a left knee disability are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.,Further investigation into the Veteran's treatment records from 2005-2010 is needed, as well as a new VA examination for his lumbosacral strain and an addendum opinion regarding his left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records.,The claim for GERD is being remanded as there may be a secondary relationship between the acid reflux and his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities.,The claim for sleep apnea is being remanded because of in-service breathing difficulties and nasal obstructions.,The claims for right knee, left knee, and shin splints are being remanded due to potential secondary relationships with his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities.,The claim for a right hand disability is being remanded as there may be a relationship between the current condition and an in-service injury.,No effective date provided as these claims are still pending.,No rating assigned as these claims are still pending.

The Veteran's death was not due to his own willful misconduct, but the criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 were not met as he did not meet the requirement of having a service-connected disability rated totally disabling for at least ten years immediately preceding death.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the Veteran's failure to appear for scheduled VA examinations and issues related to his homelessness.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and scheduling issues. The Veteran's low back disability claim is being reviewed again for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claim for entitlement to service connection for a back disability.,Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss and chronic bronchitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back, right hip, and left hip disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions and incomplete development of records.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar spine disability was denied, and the claim for entitlement to TDIU was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his left shoulder disability, bilateral tinea pedis, or lumbar spine disability prior to March 03, 2017. Service connection was granted for right hip disorder, left hip disorder, and headache disorder as secondary to other service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disorder is related to service, and the Board finds in favor of granting service connection. The cervical spine disorder issue has been remanded due to insufficient competent medical evidence.

The Board denied service connection for a thoracic spine condition and denied an increased rating for lumbosacral strain, finding that the evidence did not support the Veteran's claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to procedural issues and the need for additional medical examinations. The claims are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 10 percent prior to December 16, 2016 and at 20 percent on and after that date. The right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy and left lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy are both rated at 20 percent.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is not entitled to a higher rating prior to December 16, 2016 or on and after that date. The right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy and left lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy are both not entitled to a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's low back disability is secondary to his service-connected right hip and/or knee disabilities. Additional development, including obtaining medical opinions, is required.

The Veteran's lumbar spine condition, including degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, and lumbar radiculopathy, is aggravated by his service-connected fibromyalgia. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's hip, elbow, hand, and ankle disabilities. The claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board is unable to make a decision on the issues of service connection for cervical spine, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.,Additional examination or opinion is needed to determine if these conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.