Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's request to readjudicate the previously denied claim for service connection for a low back disability is granted. The appeal is remanded for further adjudication by the AOJ.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a rating of 50 percent, but no higher. The initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied. Service connection is granted for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to exposure to herbicides and/or disabilities. Service connection is also granted for GERD, migraine headaches, TBI, neck disability, and low back disability.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right and left knee conditions, as well as increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and left elbow strain with tendonitis. The Veteran's claims are pending further review.

The Veteran's TDIU is granted with an effective date of December 15, 2010, as the Board finds that he was unable to engage in substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities starting from this date.

The Veteran's bilateral femoral and sciatic radiculopathy was associated with his service-connected low back condition for the entirety of the relevant time period, and therefore, the claims for earlier effective dates are granted.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether his current condition is related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not rendered him unable to care for his daily personal needs without assistance from others, or unable to protect himself from the hazards and dangers of daily living on a regular basis. Therefore, entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and neck conditions due to a lack of evidence regarding their etiology. A VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for chloracne, colon cancer, Parkinson's disease, Hodgkin's lymphoma, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (secondary to Hodgkin's lymphoma), right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (secondary to Hodgkin's lymphoma), left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (secondary to Hodgkin's lymphoma treatment), and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (secondary to Hodgkin's lymphoma treatment).,The Board has also remanded the claim for rhabdomyolysis and AML.

The Board has denied service connection for low back, right leg, left leg, and erectile dysfunction disabilities. The claims of service connection for schizophrenia and PTSD are remanded due to the lack of relevant private treatment records.,Further development is needed regarding the Veteran's claim of a right arm disability.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and some other conditions due to lack of evidence linking these disabilities to service.

Service connection is granted for right hip stress fracture, posttraumatic DJD of the right hip.,Service connection is granted for left hip stress fracture, posttraumatic DJD of the left hip.,Service connection is granted for PTSD, persistent depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder (also claimed as panic disorder) due to personal trauma (PT).,Service connection is granted for tinnitus.,Service connection is granted for cervicothoracic pain with right upper extremity radicular pain and weakness.,Service connection is granted for traumatic brain injury residuals.,Service connection is granted for brain aneurysm.,Service connection is granted for low back pain.,Service connection is granted for cephalgia (headaches).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal for these issues prior to a decision being made.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for a back disability due to incomplete STRs. The Veteran's active-duty service was from June 1966 to July 1974, but only his enlistment and report of medical examination are available in the claims file.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to issues related to non-weightbearing range of motion, functional limitation, and medication effects on the lumbar spine. The right and left foot neuropathy ratings and effective dates need to be addressed. An opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's left ankle disorder is related to active duty service or a 1968 sprain.

The Veteran's right shoulder, right knee, and headache disorders are granted service connection. The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder, lumbar spine disorder, lower extremity disorder (to include radiculopathy), and bilateral hip disorders are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including TBI, seizures, headaches, anxiety disorder, and back condition, cause significant impairment to the extent that he requires regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Board has remanded the claims for COPD, lumbar spine disability, and GERD due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's service records show treatment for respiratory issues in service, but VA examiners have provided conflicting opinions regarding the etiology of his conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been received. The issues of entitlement to service connection for neck disability, torticollis, back disability, and essential tremors are now before the Board.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service or any service-connected conditions.