Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbosacral spine disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Board has granted service connection for ulcerative colitis. The back disability and numbness of the hands and fingers claims are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and frostbite residuals of bilateral feet due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board has determined that the withholding of VA disability compensation benefits for training days in FY 2010, FY 2009, and FY 2008 was proper due to concurrent receipt of military pay. The appeals are denied.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for more contemporaneous examinations to determine the current level of severity of all impairment resulting from service-connected right and left shoulder rotator cuff tear and back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, DDD of the lumbar spine, IVDS, and various knee conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since July 9, 2018.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a VA medical examination to assess the Veteran's employment capacity due to his service-connected disabilities. The issues of rating left ankle chronic ligament strain and TDIU are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine disability and denied service connection for myalgia. The lumbar spine disability is found to be related to service, while the myalgia is not secondary to any service-connected condition.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for neck, back, and right arm disorders due to insufficient consideration of secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to uncertainty regarding his complete service treatment records and Army National Guard records. The Board will need to obtain these records and conduct further development, including obtaining an examination if necessary.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine due to new evidence associated with his case, specifically in-service complaints of back pain. The VA examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and a headache disorder, finding that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for direct service connection due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for the claimed conditions as they are not shown to be causally or etiologically related any disease or injury during a period of active duty, active duty for training (ACDUTRA), or inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA).

The Veteran's left knee, hip, and foot disabilities are remanded for further examination to determine their onset and etiology. The right knee disability is also remanded for a VA examination to assess its current severity.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated as noncompensable, and the claim for service connection for osteosclerosis must be denied.,The Veteran seeks an increased rating for his spondylotic changes lumbar spine, but a VA examination is needed to comply with the August 2019 Board remand directives.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy and coronary artery disease status post myocardial infraction, stable angina and hyperlipidemia are both being remanded for further evaluation due to incomplete medical records and lack of exercise stress test.,The Veteran's spondylotic changes lumbar spine claim is also being remanded as the VA examination report noted that evidence of pain on passive range of motion testing was 'N/A'.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disorder but has remanded the issue of service connection for a back disorder due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder to include degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his active duty service.

Service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and right leg disorder is denied.,Service connection for a neck disorder and right hand disorder is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a heart disability and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased disability ratings in excess of 100 percent for loss of use of the right and left lower extremities, 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and 20 percent for status post left clavicular shaft fracture with arthritis.