Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not precluded him from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, finding that there was insufficient evidence to link his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis, a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for IBS, and a temporary total evaluation for hospitalization were denied. The Board also remanded the issues of increased ratings for bilateral foot, low back, and PTSD disabilities.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with its previous remand directives and the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and sleep apnea must be remanded again for further development.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and medical opinions provided were not in compliance with the November 2020 remand directives, thus requiring another remand for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, bilateral foot disability, bilateral shoulder disability, and lumbar spine disability due to missing evidence in the Veteran's May 2021 submission.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disorder, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected low back disability is denied as the evidence does not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less, which would be required for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, lower back, and right knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, and the effective dates are set as of January 27, 2012. The Board found no evidence indicating a formal or informal claim prior to this date.

The Veteran's neck disability, psychiatric disability, low back disability, and bilateral knee disability are not found to have begun during service or be related to any event, injury, or disease during service.,A rating in excess of 0 percent for allergic rhinitis is denied.

The Veteran's disability ratings for lumbar spine and right knee conditions have been restored or granted, with the exception of a remanded issue regarding lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the cases of lumbar spine disability, right ear hearing loss, and major depressive disorder due to lack of clarity in the evidence regarding their onset or relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for insomnia is remanded due to a lack of recent examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for C2-C3 post traumatic neuralgia (diagnosed as degenerative arthritis of the spine) is remanded because the VA examiner did not specifically address his claim and there was insufficient information about the location of his degenerative arthritis in the C2-C3 region.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for numbness left arm and right arm (claimed as peripheral neuropathy) are remanded due to a lack of recent examination and because the VA examiner did not provide a direct service connection opinion.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for L3-L4 diffuse disc bulging/L2-L5 lumbar spondylosis is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding continuity of care after service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypercalcemia (also claimed as a skin condition) is remanded because the VA examiner did not provide sufficient information about his exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee chondromalacia is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding continuity of care after service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for abnormal myeloma cells (diagnosed as monoclonal gammopathy and leukopenia) is remanded because the VA examiner did not provide sufficient information about his exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board has decided the right ankle disability case and remanded for further development regarding the back disorder. The Veteran's appeal is pending.

The Veteran's right shoulder tendinosis and DDD of the thoracolumbar spine have been granted increased ratings, but further examination is needed to determine if higher ratings are warranted.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection for various conditions due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine (claimed as back injury) is denied. His claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and degenerative arthritis status post right 5th metacarpal fracture are also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of the Veteran's right elbow, left elbow, right knee, and left knee disabilities for further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, tinnitus, skin disorder, lung disorder, and melanoma. The claims are remanded due to a lack of VA treatment records and the need for specific information regarding the onset and nature of each condition.