Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The petition to reopen the previously-denied claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder is granted. The petition to reopen the previously-denied claim for service connection for a right wrist disorder is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a sleeping disorder and for increased evaluations for lumbar strain with arthritis due to insufficient information in the record regarding whether the Veteran's insomnia is separate from his PTSD, and because of concerns about the adequacy of the VA examinations conducted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent from September 4, 2008. A TDIU was granted prior to March 12, 2009 and from March 12, 2009 onwards.

The Board has found that the AOJ did not substantially comply with prior remand directives and has therefore ordered a remand for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's left lower extremity disability clearly and unmistakably pre-existed service. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a back disability and bilateral hip disability are also inextricably intertwined and have been remanded as well.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability is service-connected, as it was caused by an injury sustained during active service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a low back disability. The issue of service connection is remanded due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back condition.

The Board denied service connection for left knee, right shoulder, lumbar spine, cervical spine, and left shoulder disabilities as they are not related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for back disorder, nerve pain in feet, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus as the evidence did not support a direct link to service or any presumptive conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and gastroesophageal reflux disease due to inadequate opinions in the original VA examinations. The case will be returned to the Board after completion of further examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for left upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, as secondary to herbicide exposure. The VA will need to provide a new opinion on whether these conditions are related to his service-connected aneurysm.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinion regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, specifically his lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his IVDS and DDD of the lumbar spine with scoliosis is denied. The VA examinations did not show incapacitating episodes or forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, thus preventing an increased rating under either the General Rating Formula or the IVDS Rating Formula.

The Board has denied service connection for a chronic cervical spine disorder, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy. The lumbar spine disability is remanded for additional development regarding the Veteran's increased rating claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right shoulder and left knee disabilities due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The Veteran is entitled to a new, adequate VA examination addressing all of his current right shoulder conditions and left knee findings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, a back condition, a neck condition, and a left shoulder condition due to insufficient evidence. The Court found that the Board erred by relying on an outdated VA opinion and failed to address whether the Veteran's migraine headaches are encompassed within his cervicogenic headaches.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's back disorder. The examiner is requested to provide a clear and unmistakable evidence that the Veteran's preexisting back disorder was not aggravated during service, or if it did not exist at all.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's lower back condition, including a lack of line-of-duty documentation and current medical records. The Veteran will need to undergo a VA examination and additional service personnel records must be obtained.

The Board has determined that further examination and opinion are needed for the Veteran's right knee condition, degenerative changes of the lumbar spine, and traumatic brain injury. The claims are being remanded to allow for these evaluations.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of May 4, 2001, but no earlier, for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations and a supplemental statement of the case.