Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with DDD is granted an initial disability rating of 40 percent, effective February 4, 2015.

The Board has remanded four issues related to secondary service connection for back, left knee, bilateral ankle, and bilateral foot disabilities due to the service-connected right knee disability. The Veteran's claims are being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's ratings for thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome and left lower extremity radiculopathy are restored to their effective dates. The Veteran is also remanded for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities, including whether he has right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to be related to his in-service herbicide exposure. The claim for service connection for prostate cancer is granted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, including degenerative disc disease, arthritis, and lumbar stenosis, has been granted service connection as a direct result of his in-service injury during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are now considered. The Board has also remanded several other issues due to the need for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating issues due to insufficient medical records. The case is also remanded for an addendum opinion on PTSD, a headache disability evaluation, and VA examinations for lumbosacral strain, DDD, Schamberg's disease, and hypertension.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative disc disease with spondylosis of the lumbar spine, hernia, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, acquired psychiatric disorder, and valvular heart disease have all been denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within the applicable presumptive period.,The Veteran's current diagnoses do not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals regarding the service connection for lower back disability, left shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, and a compensable rating for hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted.,The Veteran's application to reopen his claim of service connection for a low back disability has been granted, but the issue is being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if service connection can be established for low back disability and residuals of cyst removal.

The Board has decided that another remand is necessary to obtain a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disorder and to schedule a VA examination for his nonservice-connected pension claim. The service connection issue remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal for increased disability ratings and service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and a heart condition is remanded due to inconsistencies in the examination reports and need for further development regarding exposure to toxic environmental risks.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted a 40 percent rating, effective August 31, 2022.,The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine strain with spondylosis, compression fracture at T12, and IVDS continues to be rated at 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions did not adequately address the Veteran's assertions regarding his military service causing his current neck and back disorders. Therefore, the claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the appeals of increased ratings for right knee, lumbar spine, and right femoral neck disabilities due to outstanding medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, left hip, and left wrist disabilities must be remanded due to incomplete development of records from his in-service treatment. The VA will need to locate relevant hospital records from Oak Knoll Naval Regional Medical Center and research deck logs for the U.S.S. Niagara Falls.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability, right hip condition, and increased rating for right knee disability due to incomplete medical opinions and conflicting evidence about the Veteran's right knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches was denied as the evidence did not support a link between his current condition and service or a service-connected disability.,The claims for increased ratings of low back and left shoulder disabilities were denied due to the Veteran's failure to attend scheduled VA examinations without good cause. ,The request for an earlier effective date for the award of an increased rating for the left shoulder disability was also denied as there is no evidence of a factually ascertainable increase in symptoms within one year prior to the Veteran's intent to file.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional medical opinions regarding the onset of various conditions during or as a result of military service.