Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for further development to obtain VA and private treatment records, including chiropractic notes dating back to August 2013. The Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine is now pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or permanently housebound, thus SMC based on aid and attendance is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability is denied. The current rating of 40% remains unchanged.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lower back and obstructive sleep apnea due to secondary service-connected generalized anxiety disorder. The Veteran's claim for left ear hearing loss was also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been dismissed.,An effective date of August 10, 2009 has been granted for the grant of service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a back disability have been denied. The claim for the back disability is being remanded due to new evidence received, but the psychiatric disorder claim remains denied.

Service connection for tinnitus, right hand disability, left shoulder disability, and low back disability is granted.,The Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during service. The right hand disability was incurred as a result of service. The left shoulder disability was also incurred as a result of service.

The Board denied service connection for a low back condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The decision found that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

Your claim for service connection for a low back injury has been previously granted and you are already receiving the appropriate rating. The appeal is dismissed as there are no pending issues to review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding medical records and additional opinions are needed.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar degenerative joint disease with degenerative disc disease L4-S1 is granted a 40 percent rating, but no higher. The ratings for right knee osteoarthritis and left knee degenerative arthritis are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and its aggravation by service-connected bilateral hip bursitis.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation and consideration of his service-connected acquired psychiatric condition and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the claim for total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new and material evidence. The claims are now remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his low back, neck, left shoulder, bilateral knee, and bilateral foot conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a current diagnosis and linking it to active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for TBI residuals and a headache disability is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service injury. The Veteran's left knee disability is not related to service, nor caused by his service-connected PTSD.,Service connection for the Veteran's back disability remains remanded due to insufficient opinion regarding its relationship to service. Service connection for erectile dysfunction is also remanded as there was no opinion addressing whether it was aggravated by his service-connected prostatitis.

The appeals for increased disability ratings for the back and related neurological issues (e.g. radiculopathy of the lower extremities) have been withdrawn and are dismissed.,The appeal for entitlement to a disability rating exceeding 10 percent for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity has been withdrawn and is dismissed.,The appeal for entitlement to a disability rating exceeding 10 percent for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity has been withdrawn and is dismissed.,Entitlement to a disability rating of 50 percent (but no higher) for migraine headaches is granted.,New and material evidence having been received, the petition to reopen a previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for her service-connected lumbar strain, cervical strain, dermatitis, and headaches due to incomplete examinations and lack of recent treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for her service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and an additional VA examination.

The previously denied claims of service connection for low back, right knee, and left knee disabilities have been reopened. The Veteran's claim for a right ankle disability remains remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection is being remanded for the Veteran's claimed low back, right knee, and left knee disabilities.