Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's initial rating for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine was denied, and his claims for bilateral knee disabilities were remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, right hip, and left hip disabilities have been granted.,However, the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, chondromalacia of the right knee, chondromalacia of the left knee patella (status post lateral release), and surgical scars of the left knee (status post arthroscopy) are being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disability, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including new examinations that comply with prior Board instructions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic lumbar spine disability is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete service records and inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran's complete military personnel file, separation examination reports, and any outstanding medical records are required. Further evaluations by VA are needed to address the etiology of his current disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine and right knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the severity of these conditions.,The Veteran seeks higher disability ratings for his lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with chronic lumbar strain, lower back spasm, and IVDS. The Board has requested an addendum opinion from a VA examiner to estimate the Veteran's range of motion during repeated use over time and during flare-ups.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and low back disability. The issues have been remanded due to insufficient evidence or procedural errors.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in findings and lack of information for rating neurological disability, as well as the need for VA treatment records and Social Security Administration records. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple conditions has been remanded due to procedural issues. A SOC must be issued and the Veteran must either perfect his appeal or opt into the AMA.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding service connection for arthritis of multiple joints, including bilateral hips, knees, hands, thumbs, ankles, lumbar spine, and cervical spine.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, and back disabilities due to a lack of notification regarding scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's skin disability is currently rated at 60 percent, effective October 11, 2007. The Board has denied an evaluation in excess of this rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The lumbar strain rating was granted at 40 percent prior to February 26, 2018, but not higher. The shin splints of the left leg rating was denied. Other conditions like bilateral hearing loss, carpal tunnel syndrome, scars, and cellulitis also had their claims denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for right hip and knee disabilities related to his back disability are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his neck, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and back disabilities. The Veteran is also being asked to provide additional information about flareups and repeated use over time.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records, specifically for the appellant's Reserve and Louisiana Army National Guard service as well as his service at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. The AOJ is required to obtain these records.

The Board has remanded the issues for further development due to outstanding private treatment records, including from Dr. Cyr and North Central Baptist Hospital.

The Board has remanded several claims for further action, including the assignment of effective dates and the need for new VA examinations. The Veteran's service-connected cervical strain, lumbar strain, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are all under review.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.