Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that remand is required for the Veteran's lumbar spine and left lower extremity radiculopathy claims due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran will need additional VA examinations to address his current disability status, functional loss during flare-ups, and whether his service-connected conditions have aggravated or caused his claimed disabilities.

The Board dismissed all the claims of entitlement as the appellant (through his authorized representative) requested to withdraw the appeal.

The Board has identified several issues for remand, including claims related to the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, right ankle disorder, sinusitis, and service connection for shoulder dislocation. The Veteran also requested a review of an August 2015 rating decision regarding her right shoulder condition.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease L5-S1 and bilateral foraminal stenosis L5-S1 have been granted a 40% disability rating effective August 2, 2016.

The Veteran was found unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities prior to September 20, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD is being remanded.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbosacral spine strain is being remanded.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for GERD is being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to issues related to his lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and unemployability. The appeal is now pending again with the Board.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The Veteran served in Vietnam and contends his current disabilities are related to combat injuries.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for mouth scars and back condition have been denied. The claim for service connection for jaw condition (TMJ) has been remanded due to the need for a more definitive opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including lower back disorder, right shoulder disorder, right foot disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), COPD, hypertension, and sleep apnea have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a causal relationship between these conditions and active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of TBI, migraines, and low back strain due to unclear severity and missing VA treatment records. A new VA examination is needed to determine current symptomatology and severity.

The Veteran was awarded a 10% rating for DDD of the lumbosacral spine effective August 16, 2018. However, he did not receive proper notice of a scheduled VA examination in June 2000 and his service connection claim is still pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hepatitis C, low back disability, neck disability, and gout. The evidence did not establish a direct relationship between these conditions and his active service.

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

The Veteran's left knee disability and lumbar condition are granted as secondary to his service-connected right knee degenerative arthritis.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete medical records and questions regarding the Veteran's back disability between April 2003 and September 2011.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for his back, right knee, and left knee conditions. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service or secondary to his service-connected bilateral foot and hip conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate medical opinions for the Veteran's left knee and low back disabilities. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous remand directives, and a new examination is required to determine the current severity of the Veteran's back disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, headache disability, and thoracolumbar spine disability due to delays in scheduling VA examinations. The Veteran's failure to report for these examinations is being addressed.