Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's low back disability, including whether it is related to service.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for his lumbar spine disability is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination. The original rating reduction decision from January 2018 was found invalid as it did not comply with substantive requirements.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current low back disability is related to service, and also for consideration of secondary service connection for left hip disability.

The Veteran's mixed sleep apnea is granted as a MUCMI. The right knee, bilateral hearing loss, and psoriasis disabilities are denied due to lack of current diagnoses. The low back and left knee disabilities are also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a left knee disability and a lumbar spine condition due to insufficient evidence in the VA opinions provided. The Veteran asserts that his current conditions are related to injuries sustained during service, but the VA examiners have not addressed these specific points.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for sinusitis and low back disability due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether these conditions pre-existed service or are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate statement of reasons and bases for its estimated loss of degrees of range of motion during flare-ups for the period prior to March 22, 2017.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back condition, finding it related to an in-service fall and head injury. The Veteran's degenerative arthritis is also considered directly related to service.

The Board denied an effective date prior to April 6, 2015, for the grant of service connection for a lumbar spine strain, loss of lordosis and degenerative disc disease due to lack of relevant evidence within one year of the November 2013 rating decision.

The Veteran's lumbar spine condition is rated at 10 percent prior to August 20, 2019 and denied for a higher rating. Since August 20, 2019, the Veteran's condition is rated at 40 percent and also denied for a higher rating. The Board has remanded issues regarding service connection for shoulder conditions and cervical spine.

The Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss, low back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, right hip disability, and left hip disability have been reopened. However, the Board finds that there is no evidence to support service connection for any of these conditions.,Service connection was denied as there is insufficient evidence linking any current disabilities to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied, and the case was remanded for further development. The low back disability claim is currently under review.

The Veteran's neck, eye, asthma, left ankle, and acquired psychiatric disorder claims are remanded for further development.,A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current neck disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim of service connection for back disability and has determined that new evidence received since the last denial supports a finding that the Veteran's current back disability is related to active duty service. The decision also grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection of low back disability was granted. Service connection is also granted for this condition. The claims for varicose veins of the left lower extremity and left ear hearing loss are dismissed.

The Veteran's right ankle osteochondral defect with degenerative arthritis was granted an initial rating of 20 percent from May 8, 2009 to October 30, 2013 and a maximum 20 percent rating thereafter. The lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease was granted an initial rating of 40 percent effective September 28, 2013.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and right lower extremity were found to be service connected as a result of his lumbosacral strain. The TDIU claim was granted effective September 28, 2013.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance/housebound status due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he does not require regular aid and assistance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back condition is related to his active military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection of a heart disability, increased rating for left ankle disability, and ratings in excess of existing ones for hypertension and back disability are denied.,The Veteran's claim for remand on the issue of increased rating for degenerative joint disease of the thoracic spine is pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and right shoulder disabilities, finding no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.