Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination of the Veteran's coccydynia, post-operative condition during a flare-up.

The Board has ordered remand for additional examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease L5-S1 with history of herniated disc, status post-surgery and his bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The current VA examination reports are inadequate.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues related to service connection and rating claims, including voiding dysfunction, allergic rhinitis, external hemorrhoids, nephrolithiasis, thoracolumbar spine disability, left hamstring disability, right hamstring disability, right shoulder disability, sinusitis, left lower extremity sciatica, and right lower extremity sciatica. The appeals were dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal.

The Veteran's claims for an extension of convalescence period and a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease status post microdiscectomy and laminectomy of L3-L4 are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral spondylosis and degenerative disc disease was denied in March 2015, but reopened in December 2014. The claim was again denied in February 2018. In February 2019, the VA granted service connection with an effective date of November 13, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include back disability, left hip disability (secondary to knee), allergies, respiratory disability, and acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board denied service connection for cervical DDD, finding that the current condition is not etiologically related to service.,The Board also denied service connection for a painful joint disorder, as there was no separate disability found and the Veteran's symptoms were already compensated or separately appealed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a low back disability are granted. The claims for service connection for left hip condition and right hip condition are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for intervertebral disc disease of the lumbar spine and entitlement to TDIU due to procedural errors.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities and service connection for lumbar disability have been dismissed.,A 40 percent evaluation has been granted for the service-connected lumbar disability, effective from February 25, 2009.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the Veteran's failure to appear for VA examinations. The examinations are scheduled to be rescheduled and new evidence is needed to determine the etiology of his lumbar spine disability, sciatica of the lower extremities, and knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability and left hip disability due to incomplete addendum opinions from VA examiners. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his current disabilities, which he contends are related to his military service or other service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to scheduling issues with a new examination. The appeals are inextricably intertwined with other disability rating and benefits determinations.

The Board has denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his active military service and does not meet the criteria for presumptive or secondary service connection.

The Veteran's low back condition is rated at 40% effective June 1, 2017. Right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are each rated at 20%. The effective dates for these ratings have been granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for his back condition, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic disability related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral knee disability, back disability, acquired psychiatric disability (MDD), and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy due to potential issues with the adequacy of the examinations provided.,These matters are being returned to the VA examiners or appropriate medical providers for further evaluation and opinion regarding the etiology of the claimed conditions.,The Veteran's service records show multiple instances of knee and back complaints during his active-duty service, which may impact the determination of whether these disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, bilateral ankle disorders, right wrist disorder, arthritis of the hands, and bilateral leg disorders have been granted. The remaining issues are being remanded for further review.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for alexia, cervical disc disease, lumbar spine disorder, and sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence to support a current diagnosis or etiology related to these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for revision of the June 1969 rating decision on the basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) to reflect an initial compensable rating for chronic lumbar strain, finding that the correct facts were not before the adjudicator at the time of the decision.