Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder due to additional information and evidence needed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obesity is denied.,Service connection for a left knee disorder was granted with an effective date of November 6, 2017. The earlier effective date prior to November 6, 2017 is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis of the spine is secondary to her service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluation due to insufficient evidence in some cases, particularly regarding the etiology of his lumbar spine and right knee disabilities. The VA will obtain updated treatment records and provide additional opinions from medical professionals.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and obstructive sleep apnea, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that led to the current conditions.,Service connection was not granted as there is no credible evidence showing a direct link between the Veteran's current disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's mid-back disability is granted service connection, while her rhabdomyolysis (upper body) claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The claim of TDIU is dependent on the impact of these conditions on the Veteran's ability to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back condition, finding that it was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within a presumptive period. The current diagnosed condition is attributed to aging and gradual physical deconditioning over time.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death, finding that no service-connected disability was either the principal or a contributory cause of his death. The appeal for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 was also denied as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for receiving such benefits.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for his lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with spondylolisthesis as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's lower back disability, left thigh disability, and tinnitus have been granted service connection.,Bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's kidney stones are rated at 30 percent, the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 7508.,The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent. The evidence does not support a higher rating as forward flexion was to 65 degrees with no favorable ankylosis.,Left lower extremity radiculopathy in the sciatic nerve is rated at 10 percent, and right lower extremity radiculopathy in the sciatic nerve is also rated at 10 percent. Both are currently rated as they should be based on the current findings.,Beginning August 7, 2017, left lower extremity radiculopathy in the femoral nerve was granted a separate 10 percent rating and right lower extremity radiculopathy in the femoral nerve was also granted a separate 10 percent rating.

The Board has ordered a new remand due to inadequate opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's back disorder and service-connected left foot hammer toes. The Veteran needs a new medical opinion on whether their back condition was caused or aggravated by their pre-existing foot condition.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for tinnitus as it was granted in a separate decision. The remaining claims of service connection for various disabilities are remanded due to the need for further medical examination and opinion.

The Veteran's left lumbar radiculopathy is granted a 40 percent rating effective June 16, 2017. The appeal for higher ratings was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, skin disorders of the face and low back, but denied service connection for right shoulder and left shoulder disorders.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including those for a rating in excess of 20 percent for chondromalacia of the right knee with instability, service connection for lumbar spine condition, left hip condition, and sleep apnea.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder disability, back disability, and left knee disability due to a lack of evidence demonstrating current disabilities or a causal relationship to service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability did not meet or approximate criteria for higher ratings under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his back disability, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional development.