Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected lumbar spine disability is denied. For the period of March 12, 2015, to February 1, 2016, the Veteran's right lower extremity femoral radiculopathy was rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for additional examinations and medical opinions to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, including low back condition, muscle condition (restless leg syndrome), blood clots, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), bladder condition, and sleep apnea. The claims will be further evaluated based on the results.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, right thigh limited extension, and right hip bursitis are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has granted the Veteran's appeal for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and degenerative disc disease with anterior spurring of the cervical spine, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these disabilities were incurred during active duty.

The Board has restored the original disability ratings for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, as well as intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative disc disease L4 - L5. The effective dates remain unchanged.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent from December 5, 2016 to May 12, 2023. The rating for his left and right knee strains remains at 10 percent throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a headache disorder and lumbar spine disability due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disability and bilateral hearing loss disability due to inadequate medical opinions that did not address the Veteran's lay statements of continuity of symptoms.

The Board has denied an increased rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, as there is no persuasive evidence of ankylosis.,The Board has remanded the issues regarding bilateral lower extremity radiculopathies due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to the need for retrospective medical opinions regarding the Veteran's back and neck disabilities. The SMC claim is also remanded as it depends on the development of the spine disability issues.

The Board has denied service connection for a back disability and a neck disability, finding the evidence does not support a link to active duty service. The thyroid condition claim is remanded due to lack of verification of radiation exposure.,Service connection will be considered for the Veteran's claimed conditions based on direct evidence rather than presumptions or secondary theories.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability began during service or is related to an in-service injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral ankle disability due to failure to appear at scheduled examinations. The case is now pending for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has remanded them for further development due to outstanding VA and private treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, finding that he was not unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to March 23, 2004.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA opinion regarding the service connection for a low back disability. The examiner must consider the lay statements of the Appellant and provide a fully reasoned explanation.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's back disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability. The case was remanded to obtain additional medical records.,Service connection for vertigo was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating of his left knee prosthetic replacement and service connection for a back disability is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of the back condition.

The Veteran's claims for right ankle, knee, hip, and low back disabilities have been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions during the period under consideration.,VA has not found any clinically significant right ankle, knee, hip, or low back disability in the Veteran's records.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder due to military sexual trauma, and for a lower back injury incurred during boot camp. The claims are based on direct evidence of the conditions' occurrence in service.