Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including coronary artery disease, an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), hypertension, bilateral knee disability, left wrist arthritis, lower back pain, right leg limp, and right shoulder pain. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's time in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating for DJD of the thoracolumbar spine in excess of 10 percent prior to April 2017 and a higher rating from April 17, 2017. The remand is due to deficiencies in VA examination reports and outstanding records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and throat disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or illness related to these conditions, and that any current conditions were not caused by military service.,Specifically, the VA examiner noted that the Veteran did not have a diagnosed neck condition during his active duty, and that his current neck disorders are more likely due to rheumatoid arthritis. The GERD diagnosis was attributed to chronic use of medications for rheumatoid arthritis. No throat disorder was found on examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a lumbar spine disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran is requested to provide additional records and undergo VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and evaluation due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and lumbar spine disability.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of a back disability, tinnitus, headaches, PTSD, and major depressive disorder as they have already been granted in prior rating decisions.,Major depressive disorder is now granted subject to the laws and regulations governing the award of monetary benefits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disability, finding that the evidence did not support a relationship between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent during the period prior to March 23, 2021.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, asthma, lumbar spine condition, and skin condition due to potential missing service treatment records from his Reserve service period. The VA is instructed to obtain these records and schedule the Veteran for additional examinations to determine if there is a link between his conditions and herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder was incurred during service and is not due to any pre-existing condition. The claim for service connection is therefore granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for PTSD, lumbar spine disability, and headaches due to insufficient evidence regarding diagnoses and etiology.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and related headaches have been granted service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected right hip, left ankle, right knee, and lumbar spine disabilities. The initial rating for PTSD remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right leg length discrepancy and its superimposed conditions (Lumbar Spine Condition, Right Knee Pain, Osteoarthritis of Left Knee) is being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for Lumbar Spine Condition is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of some issues which were remanded. The grant includes right shoulder labral tear and back disability.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 20% effective June 3, 2009 and increased to 40% effective August 10, 2018. Effective June 3, 2009, the Veteran also received a 10% rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and a 10% rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.,The Board denied entitlement to TDIU prior to August 10, 2018.

The Board has decided to remand several claims, including those for higher ratings and effective dates related to the Veteran's back pain and radiculopathy. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is intertwined with these other issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, right shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions. The VA is required to obtain addendum opinions addressing whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further action consistent with prior remand directives, including obtaining additional medical opinions and evidence. The claims are back before the Board after previous denials.