Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's migraine disorder is not entitled to a compensable evaluation prior to March 22, 2019 and is only rated at 30 percent thereafter. The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis remains rated at 40 percent.,The Veteran's service-connected conditions are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, back condition, and right ankle condition were all denied. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating due to outstanding private treatment records, failed VA examinations, and incomplete service personnel records. The Veteran is also seeking a separate claim of service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding whether the Veteran's low back condition is related on a secondary basis to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for right upper extremity reflex sympathetic dystrophy, right anterior thigh reflex sympathetic dystrophy, and thoracolumbar spine disability due to inadequate examinations and lack of consideration of Veteran's statements regarding flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lower back condition and headaches due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran will need new examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and readjudication due to outstanding issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back and right hip disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional records, including from chiropractors prior to April 2011, and arrange for a new examination by an orthopedic surgeon.

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable rating for left ankle scar, left shoulder scar, and painful left shoulder scar were dismissed due to the Veteran's request to withdraw his appeal.,The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with IVDS was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of muscle atrophy or ankylosis associated with the condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals concerning increased evaluations for various conditions, including lumbar spine disability with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), right knee disability, and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The appeals are therefore dismissed.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claims for service connection for bilateral hand arthritis, left shoulder strain, right shoulder arthritis, and lumbar spine arthritis. The evidence tends to show that these disabilities are related to his active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for stroke, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, a back disorder, and a neck disorder due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand instructions.

The Veteran's PTSD and sleep apnea are granted, but the claim for a higher rating for lumbar spondylosis with degenerative joint disease is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development, including obtaining service records and conducting examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grants due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and left knee disability have been reopened. The Board finds that the evidence supports service connection on a secondary basis due to his right knee disability. However, the claim for service connection for a left knee disability is REMANDED as there is insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's left knee disability was aggravated by his right knee disability.

The Board denied service connection for back and neck disorders, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right ankle osteoarthritis, lumbar spine DJD with DDD, and right elbow injury were denied. However, the Veteran was granted service connection for a right knee disorder (arthritis) and right foot plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations in excess of the current ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar and cervical spine, as well as post-operative changes of the right knee, are being remanded due to a need for additional examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU due to the need for a new VA examination of his lumbar strain.