Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities, particularly knee, back, shoulder, heart, TBI, and headache. Additional development is required including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted a 20 percent rating, effective November 20, 2008. The TDIU issue is also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder disability and low back disability due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations. The Veteran is also being asked to provide additional medical records, including x-rays, and a supplemental statement of the case will be issued.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is related to medication prescribed for his service-connected migraines and tinnitus, while the other conditions are not shown in service or for many years thereafter and are otherwise unrelated to his active-duty service.

The Board has denied service connection for various disabilities including right arm, left shoulder, right shoulder, lumbar spine, left knee, and right knee conditions. The reasons include lack of in-service evidence of injury or disease, inconsistent statements regarding treatment during service, and the absence of a medical nexus between current disability and service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disorder is reopened, and the case is remanded for another VA examination to determine if his current back disorders are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder, right knee, and lower back conditions due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's time in active military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back condition, right knee condition, left knee condition, and sleep apnea based on the Veteran's credible testimony of in-service injuries and persistence of symptoms since service.,Service connection is established for these conditions as they are found to be causally linked to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has dismissed the claims for an initial compensable rating for residuals of an ethmoid fracture disability and service connection for a lumbar spine disability due to the appellant's death.

The Board has granted a TDIU from March 3, 2015 to June 6, 2022. The claim for an increased rating for left knee chondromalacia is remanded due to the lack of range of motion testing.

The Veteran's request for a rating in excess of 30 percent for insomnia disorder was denied.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) was granted, and service connection for a low back disorder was also granted. Service connection for a cervical spine disorder was denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected generalized arthralgias in multiple joints is being remanded due to insufficient examination data and the need for clarification on multi-joint disability assessment.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 20 percent from August 1, 2006 to February 7, 2017 and is now granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right knee disability, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, bilateral shoulder and arm disabilities, bilateral hand disabilities, and residuals of a head injury. The remand requires an addendum opinion to address whether any diagnosed pre-existing right knee disability was aggravated by service or had its onset during service.

The Veteran's death was caused by metastatic esophageal cancer, which is presumed to have originated during service due to herbicide exposure. Service connection for the cause of death and esophageal cancer has been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right eye disability, low back disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability due to lack of a VA examination.

The Veteran's radiculopathy and low back disorder are rated at separate 20 percent ratings. The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for each lower extremity, but has remanded the case to determine if a higher rating is warranted for his low back condition.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates for the Veteran's MDD and lumbar spine disability ratings, as well as his TDIU eligibility. The Veteran's claims are now effective as of March 15, 2012.

The appeal for service connection for right median sensorimotor neuropathy, diabetes mellitus, left and right shin splints, cataracts, deviated septum, depression, a right elbow disorder, and a heart disorder has been dismissed.,The claim for service connection for hypertension (secondary to PTSD) has been reopened due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The appeal is granted in part.,The claim for service connection for sleep apnea (secondary to PTSD) has been reopened due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The appeal is granted in part.,The claims for service connection for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis have been reopened due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The appeals are granted in part.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability was reopened and granted. The claims for increased ratings for right and left knee PFPS were dismissed, and the Veteran's PTSD rating was restored to 100% effective September 1, 2016. The issue of an earlier effective date for TDIU remains pending.