Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety and depression, is granted as service connected. Service connection for lower urinary tract syndrome secondary to prostatitis, urethral blockage secondary to prostatitis, chronic bilateral ankle strain, and sciatic nerve, right lower extremity secondary to lumbar spine are all withdrawn.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disability, lung disability, and stomach disability have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Tinea pedis and pilonidal cyst were not diagnosed or treated during the appeal period.

The Board has denied service connection for a back condition and an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that the evidence does not support a link to service. The case is remanded for further development regarding hepatitis C infection.,Service connection for hepatitis C infection is remanded as there is new evidence suggesting it may be related to use of jet injectors during active duty.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, tingling in hands, and low back condition. The Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to his active duty service or a pre-existing low back disability.,There is no evidence of tingling in the hands during service or within one year after separation. Service connection on a presumptive basis for early-onset peripheral neuropathy was also denied.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is granted a 40 percent rating, effective from the date of claim. Service connection for other specific trauma-related disorder and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are also granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to inadequate medical examinations. The VA is required to provide a new examination to assess the severity of his lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathy, including whether it constitutes ankylosis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations. The issues include psoriasis, a disability of the toes, a disability of the left hand and fingers, a disability of the right hand and fingers, a back condition, and loss of hair.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have met the percentage requirements for a TDIU since June 19, 2017 and prevent him from performing gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected back condition is being remanded due to the need for further development.,The Board has previously denied higher ratings for the Veteran's service-connected right lower extremity radiculopathy and a rating in excess of 40 percent for his service-connected back condition.

The reduction of the rating for lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease from 40 percent to 10 percent, effective December 1, 2018, was improper and the 40 percent rating is restored. The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder. The case is now remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding increased ratings for left and right knee conditions, as well as TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of non-VA medical care provided at Lawnwood Hospital Trauma Center in October 2010 is granted, as he was totally disabled due to service-connected disabilities and the VA facility was not feasibly available.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, including degenerative arthritis, DDD, and lumbar strain, based on continuous symptoms since service.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a low back disability due to lack of substantial compliance with its February 2023 remand directives. The case is now pending again.

The Veteran's low back disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and TMJ disorder are granted with specific ratings. The issue of a separate compensable rating for urinary incontinence associated with the service-connected back disability is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the inadequacy of the May 2017 VA examination and the need for a new examination to assess the current severity of her service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board has decided that the reduction in the Veteran's cervical spine disability rating is improper and remands for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability. The matter will be further reviewed and a new VA examination is required.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for acid reflux, lumbar spine disorder, bilateral knee disorders, and bilateral heel pain due to inadequate VA examinations. The AOJ is instructed to send the claim file to an appropriate clinician who will provide opinions on whether the Veteran's conditions had onset in active service or are otherwise causally connected to his service.