Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disorder is granted, and his claims for increased evaluations for left knee disabilities are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as his request for an earlier effective date for a 30% rating for his acquired psychiatric disability. The criteria for higher ratings were not met.

The Veteran's left shoulder, low back, and psoriasis disabilities have been granted service connection. However, the acquired psychiatric disorders (bipolar disorder and PTSD) and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to the low back disability are still under review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to concerns about the competency of VA examiners who conducted certain examinations in March 2015 and February 2017. The AOJ is instructed to secure additional credentialing information for these examiners.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinnitus was denied as he is already in receipt of the maximum schedular disability rating. The Board found that remand was warranted for additional development and examination regarding his right knee, right knee scars, back, bilateral shoulder disabilities, right hip, and sensorineural hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for IBS, upper gastrointestinal disorder (hiatal hernia and GERD), fibromyalgia, and low back disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to her active military service or due to her service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee condition, left knee condition, and back condition due to incomplete medical records from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. The Veteran will need a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his bilateral knee and back disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for his intervertebral disc syndrome with chronic low back strain, finding that there was no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes requiring bed rest.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, and back disabilities due to inadequate examination findings. The Veteran contends that his current knee and back conditions are related to intense physical training during active service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine condition, including a review of his service records and pay records from September 1991.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for neck disability, left and right knee degenerative arthritis, and back disability. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or were related to in-service injuries.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of a back condition due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the etiology of the Veteran's condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability is related to an injury during basic training, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of lumbar disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome and sciatic radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his sciatic radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is also remanded. Additionally, the issue of entitlement to TDIU prior to October 8, 2018 remains on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been reopened and granted. The Board also remanded several issues related to his low back, migraines, bilateral foot, and right leg disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions and the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 40 percent, effective October 30, 2009. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a higher rating due to lack of unfavorable ankylosis or functional equivalent thereof.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for low back disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for further development, including referral of his TDIU claim for extraschedular consideration prior to March 15, 2017.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee, left knee, right ankle, and low back disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The Veteran's loss of balance is due to his service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome, degenerative arthritis, lumbosacral strain, degenerative disc disease, facet arthropathy and L2-L5 laminectomy, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral lower extremity sciatic nerve paralysis with radiculopathy and neuropathy. The Board granted service connection for loss of balance.