Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for right knee, left knee, and low back disabilities. Service connection is also granted for a skin disability affecting the elbows and back of the neck.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's lumbar disability due to its remote nature from the last examination. The matter is therefore being remanded for this purpose.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to insufficient evidence. The current ratings of 40 percent and 20 percent for thoracolumbar DJD and radiculopathy, respectively, are not sufficient.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including a heart disability, lung cancer, lumbar spine disability, hypertension, liver disability, peripheral neuropathy, allergic rhinitis, mediastinal lymphadenopathy, gastrointestinal disability, blood forming organ disorder, reticuloendothelial disability, agranulocytosis, and nasal disability. The claims are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her incapable of obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, as the evidence does not show that any single disability renders her unemployable.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's disabilities. The claims for service connection are not granted as there is no persuasive evidence that any current residuals of spleen removal, hip, knee, or lumbar spine disabilities were incurred during active service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral flatfeet, lumbar spine disorder as secondary to service-connected bilateral flatfeet, right leg disorder as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine disorder, and left leg disorder as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion to address the Veteran's lay statements regarding the progression of his back pain since injury in service as well as the service treatment records showing complaints, treatment, and assessment for back pain.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back, left knee, and right knee disabilities, finding that there is no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to his military service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and increased disability ratings. The Veteran's liver condition, high blood pressure, PTSD, stool and anus problems, obstructive sleep apnea, left leg/hip disorder, chest pain, cervical spine disorder, left arm disability, lumbar spine disability, and TDIU claim are all on remand.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and inextricably intertwined issues. The Veteran's low back, bilateral leg, left knee, and right knee disorders are being reviewed with new VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his low back, left knee, and bilateral foot disabilities. The Board is seeking further evidence to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded several claims for service connection due to the need to determine the exact nature of the Veteran's active service, including periods of ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA. The Veteran is also requested to provide his complete SSA record.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety with depression has been reopened and granted. The claims for service connection for a left eye disorder, peripheral vascular disease of the bilateral lower extremity, bilateral leg orthopedic disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral knee disorder, back disorder, bilateral foot disorder, arthritis of the shoulders, arthritis of the neck, sinus disorder, right eye disorder (glaucoma and cataract), erectile dysfunction, and heart disorder have been denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including high blood pressure, excessive sweating, sleep apnea, a low back disability, type II diabetes mellitus, and an unspecified respiratory condition. The VA is required to obtain new medical opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for low back condition due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its onset during service or relation to an in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to obtain relevant records from SSA and VA, including a VA examination to address whether the Veteran's right index finger synovitis, low back disability, and acquired psychiatric disability are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is withdrawn. The Board has remanded the issues regarding the propriety of reducing his left and right knee conditions from 10 percent to 0 percent effective January 1, 2019.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and a low back disorder as secondary to a left knee disorder due to incomplete information and need for additional examinations.