Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, and low back disabilities due to new and material evidence. However, these claims are still remanded as there is insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations to assess the current severity of his lower back, right ring finger, right knee, and right foot disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for erectile dysfunction (ED) and urinary incontinence/neurogenic bladder, both claimed as secondary to a service-connected back disability.,There is no direct evidence linking the Veteran's ED or urinary issues to his military service. The VA examiners found that there was insufficient medical evidence to support the claims of secondary service connection.

The Board has granted payment or reimbursement for the cost of medical treatment received at Banner Del Webb Medical Center on October 15, 2011 due to a prudent layperson's expectation that immediate medical attention was necessary.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU based on his service-connected back disability prior to January 15, 2010.,Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits were also granted for the period from December 30, 2005 to June 2, 2008.

The Board has vacated its decision and dismissed the appeals for TDIU prior to January 15, 2010 and DEA benefits prior to June 2, 2008 due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has dismissed all appeals regarding service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine disability, heart disease, and hypertension. The appeals seeking increased ratings and compensation were also dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for thoracolumbar strain was granted. The TDIU claim was dismissed, and the PTSD rating is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence of pre-existing condition at entry into service. The Board also found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for direct service connection as his current lumbar spine disorder is not linked to his active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral foot condition, and lower back condition due to incomplete development. The AOJ is instructed to notify the Veteran that records from Dr. Robbie could not be obtained.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination for range of motion testing, and a need for a retrospective medical opinion regarding additional loss of range of motion during flare-ups.

The Board denied service connection for lumbosacral spine disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatica), and an increased rating for thoracic spine vertebral compression fractures. The Veteran's TDIU claim was also denied.,Service connection could not be established as the evidence did not show a link between the disabilities and service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back condition, including consideration of secondary service connection due to his service-connected left leg disability. The appeal is remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine strain with degenerative disk disease is now rated at a 60% rating since December 10, 2016. He also has service connection for neck disability, right foot disability, and left foot disability.

Entitlement to a higher rating for PTSD with associated depression and anxiety is denied. The Veteran's symptoms are more closely approximated by a 50 percent disability rating.,Entitlement to TDIU is denied as the evidence does not show that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to issues with the adequacy of previous examinations, need for additional records, and need for clarification on the nature and etiology of his urinary disorder.

The Veteran's right ankle and low back disabilities are being remanded for further examination and consideration. The AOJ will attempt to verify the period of active duty training in July 1992, obtain VA treatment records, and schedule a medical opinion regarding the relationship between current disabilities and service.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for right knee and lumbar spine disabilities, so the claims are dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy were denied as the evidence did not show that he met the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.