Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has found the VA medical opinion inadequate and requires a remand for further development regarding the service connection of the Veteran's claimed right and left hip, as well as back conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and groin disorder due to insufficient rationale in the VA opinions provided. The Veteran is contending that his conditions began during active duty or are related to such.

The Veteran's service-connected low back and neck disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since at least April 19, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The effective dates for the granted benefits are not earlier than October 19, 2018.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder due to incomplete records and need for new medical opinions.

Service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) of the thoracolumbar spine is granted.,Service connection for right lower extremity neuropathy as due to service-connected IVDS is granted.,Service connection for left lower extremity neuropathy as due to service-connected IVDS is granted.,Service connection for right upper extremity neuropathy as due to service-connected IVDS is remanded.,Service connection for left upper extremity neuropathy as due to service-connected IVDS is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for a recurrent lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to conflicting opinions on whether the Veteran's current condition is related to service or pre-existing conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's right ankle, low back, and bilateral hand conditions. The issues of service connection are being addressed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability is granted, as new and material evidence has been received. The appeal is remanded to obtain additional medical records and an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran is seeking an increase in his rating for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, which may impact his radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder condition, pes planus, bilateral hip condition, and back condition due to the lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or aggravation that caused current disabilities.,There is no medical evidence linking any current conditions to military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the current ratings for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, low back disorder, respiratory disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder are all at their maximum allowable levels or do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted service connection. The remaining appealed issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding Medicare coverage for the Veteran's medical services at Wesley Chapel. The Veteran is seeking reimbursement for unauthorized non-VA medical services, but the appeal does not involve service connection issues.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder rotator cuff tear and labral tear including SLAP lesion, as well as a lumbar spine condition. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible testimony and medical opinions linking his current conditions to his military service.

The Board has denied an increased rating for the Veteran's lumbar spondylosis with degenerative disc disease and remanded his claims for allergic rhinitis, right leg radiculopathy/claimed as lumbar neuritis, and left leg radiculopathy/claimed as lumbar neuritis. The Veteran is required to provide updated VA examinations and a Statement of the Case concerning these issues.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits prior to September 6, 2013 was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have any pending appeals or awards of service connection prior to this date.

The Veteran's claims for residuals of right ankle keloid removal, left foot disability, right foot disability, facial tic, pyelonephritis (claimed as chronic kidney infections), and lumbosacral strain status post L1-3 lumbar laminectomy have all been denied.,Service connection has not been established for any of the conditions listed.

The Board has granted service connection for low back arthritis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms of low back pain have been continuous since service separation and meeting the criteria for presumptive service connection under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(b).

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received sufficient to readjudicate the claims for service connection for a back disability and a right shoulder disability. The claims are granted in part, but both issues have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.