Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for low back disability, cervical spine disability, sciatic nerve condition of the left lower extremity, and sciatic nerve condition of the right lower extremity.,There is no evidence in the record to support a nexus between the Veteran's current disabilities and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand instructions. The Veteran's low back disability is being reviewed again for service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of a low back disability, resulting in the dismissal of this case.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea. The claims for generalized arthritis disorder, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome are denied due to lack of current diagnoses or evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted as service-connected.,Right and left upper extremity radiculopathy are also granted as secondary to the service-connected cervical spine disability.,Residuals of TBI, low back disability, eye disability (to include as due to TBI), and right ankle disability are all remanded for further examination and opinion.,Malaria, heart disability, aortic aneurysm, diabetes mellitus, and sleep disability are also remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and medical opinions due to incomplete records, inadequate examination reports, and failure to address certain aspects of the Veteran's claims.

The Board has remanded the cases of entitlement to service connection for a neck disability and a back disability due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected cervical spine disability is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the severity and functional impact of his condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracolumbar strain, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted. The claim for an increased rating for other specified depressive disorder has also been granted.

The Board has ordered additional development to locate and secure the Veteran's complete military treatment records for all periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA with the New Jersey Army National Guard. The Veteran is also asked to provide authorization for VA to obtain his private treatment records from Northwest Spine and Wellness Center.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to non-compliance with previous remand directives and the need for additional medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back disorder, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and examinations. The issues include her lower back condition, left knee meniscus tear, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and her bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain was granted an initial disability rating of 20 percent, effective June 28, 2023. The appeal is for a higher rating prior to this date.

The Board has denied service connection for high cholesterol and remanded the remaining issues due to lack of medical records.

The Board has granted the petitions to reopen claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression; a back disorder; a neck disorder; and a left knee disorder. The claims are remanded due to incomplete VA treatment records and the need to contact witnesses of the alleged in-service assault.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for sleep disorder/insomnia, an acquired psychiatric disorder to include adjustment disorder with anxiety and PTSD, lumbar radiculopathy, left right lower extremity, lumbar radiculopathy, right lower extremity, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine must be remanded due to the need for updated medical records and examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, residuals of throat/nasal surgery, and low back pain require additional development due to incomplete medical opinions.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar calcaneal spurs, degenerative changes of the feet (claimed as flat feet and residuals of broken toes), degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep apnea are found to have begun during service. The appeal is granted.

The Board has withdrawn the Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis, colitis, and pneumonia. The remaining issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), alcohol abuse, lower back condition, heart condition, joint condition, hypertension, headaches, abnormal weight loss, and chest pain are remanded due to conflicting evidence and incomplete information.