Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's back disability is granted as service-connected due to aggravation during active duty.,The Veteran's cervical spine arthritis is granted as service-connected based on continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran has withdrawn all his appeals regarding the service connection claims for epilepsy, vision condition, migraine headaches, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, lung cancer, right hip disability, neck disability, and back disability.

The Veteran's TDIU claims are remanded due to the need for additional development, including a combined-effects medical examination and completion of a VA Form 21-8940.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to errors in previous decisions, including failure to adequately address functional ankylosis and neurologic impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability. The left knee disability is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its relationship to active duty.

The Board has determined that updated medical records and new VA examinations are needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's service-connected lumbar radiculopathy/neuropathy of the left lower extremity, right lower extremity, and degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for generalized anxiety disorder is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for back condition and gastrointestinal condition (GERD) are granted, with the latter being reopened based on new evidence.,Service connection for a back condition is established.

The Board has found that further development is required to obtain outstanding records, including those from the Veteran's VA vocational rehabilitation program and her TDIU application for the period from May 2003 to October 2008. The case is being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's appeals were dismissed due to withdrawal of claims for right shoulder disorder and tinnitus, and the Board found new and material evidence in favor of reopening her claims for acquired psychiatric disorder, fibromyalgia, and left shoulder disorder.

The Board has withdrawn the claim for left knee injury and granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The remaining issues have been remanded due to outstanding records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with depressed mood is granted a TDIU effective May 10, 2016.,The Veteran's low back strain and degenerative disc disease are granted a TDIU effective May 10, 2016.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is granted a TDIU effective May 10, 2016.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is granted a TDIU effective May 10, 2016.,The Veteran's peptic ulcer disease with GERD is granted a TDIU effective May 10, 2016.,The Veteran's right knee strain is granted a TDIU effective May 10, 2016.,The Veteran's tendonitis of the right ankle is granted a TDIU effective May 10, 2016.,The Veteran's residuals from injury to the left ankle are granted a TDIU effective May 10, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for right ear hearing loss has been dismissed due to his withdrawal. The Board has also remanded several other claims for further development and consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete or missing service treatment records, and for additional development including VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar spine disability, left ankle disability, chest pain, and right hand disability due to unresolved issues. The psychiatric disorder claim is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand instructions and insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's low back disorder. Another VA examination is needed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and arranging a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's lumbosacral strain. The TDIU claim is also pending and will be considered in conjunction with the increased rating claim.

The Board denied service connection for low back and neck disorders, finding that the Veteran did not have these conditions during or within one year after his military service. The evidence also did not show a link between the current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted, and an initial 20 percent rating for surgical scars post-laminectomy of the lumbar spine is granted. Temporary total disability ratings due to hospitalization for service-connected psychiatric disorder are also granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability was granted, and the claims for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity were also granted. The claim for service connection for a disability of the left Achilles tendon is pending.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for optic nerve damage due to VA treatment/lack of treatment was denied.,Service connection claims for a low back disorder, sleep disorder, gastrointestinal (GI) disorder, head injury, dizziness, and headache with sinus disorder were all denied on the basis that there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.