Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for various conditions, including lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with IVDS, spinal stenosis, and spondylolisthesis, S/P lumbar fusion, left ankle sprain and closed fracture of lateral malleolus, right ankle sprain, hyperhidrosis, and anal sphincter weakness with episodes of incontinence, was denied. The appeal for increased ratings is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for an opinion regarding functional equivalent of unfavorable ankylosis at any point during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions are being remanded to obtain missing service records and conduct medical examinations. The specific issues include bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disorder (secondary to other conditions), skeletal arthritis, bowel disorder, low back disorder, hip disorders, knee disorders, and foot disorders.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, right knee, left knee, and hypertension conditions due to non-compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as she meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU based on all her service-connected disabilities, which include a lumbar spine disability rated at 40 percent and other conditions. The effective date will be determined by the AOJ.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence submitted since the most recent Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC). The issues will be reconsidered by the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) with consideration of this additional evidence.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a low back disability, including scoliosis, spinal bifida, and degenerative disc disease. The issues of service connection for right lower extremity neuropathy and/or radiculopathy and left lower extremity neuropathy and/or radiculopathy are also remanded due to new evidence received since the July 2014 rating decision.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative spondylosis with bilateral sciatica lumbar spine substantially contributed to his death in a motor vehicle accident, and the Board granted service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further development, including VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination report and failure to enforce compliance with prior remand orders. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating before June 13, 2014 is now pending again.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, arthritis including involvement of hips and shoulders, and atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat) due to the lack of evidence showing these conditions began during service or are related to service.,Specifically, the VA examiner found no link between current lumbar spine diagnoses and in-service injury, event, or disease. The Board also noted that there is no medical or scientific evidence linking the development of arthritis to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for low back disorder, bilateral hip disorder, left knee disorder, and migraine headaches due to new evidence indicating these conditions may be related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for left knee meniscectomy, left knee instability, right knee strain, and thoracolumbar disability due to incomplete or unclear responses from previous VA examinations.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability with IVDS is rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum available rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The Board found no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes due to IVDS.,The Veteran's left wrist posttraumatic arthritis with history of strain, status post left radial fracture is rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum available rating under Diagnostic Code 5215. The Board found no evidence of ankylosis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and its relationship to her service-connected bilateral knee disability. The case will be reviewed after further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's lumbar strain, status post discectomy, is remanded for additional medical opinions regarding the appropriate disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The back condition and sciatic radiculopathy of the right lower extremity are rated at their maximum levels, while tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss do not warrant higher ratings.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including right foot plantar fasciitis, cervical and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, right knee meniscal tear, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability. The Veteran's claims are being returned to the RO for additional examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a lack of medical records from the George Washington Hospital in Washington, DC. The Veteran's right knee and back disabilities need to be evaluated with these records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete medical opinions regarding range of motion measurements from earlier VA examinations.