Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the previously denied claims for COPD, back disability, right hip disability, and left hip disability. The RO is directed to obtain medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including lumbar spine, neck, left and right shoulder disabilities, esophageal conditions, and residuals of colitis, due to presumed herbicide exposure during active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including low back disability, neck disability, bipolar disorder, type II diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, and neuropathies. The Board found no in-service incurrence of these disabilities or evidence linking them to active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear schwannoma, a back disability, and right knee arthritis. The Veteran's current conditions are found to be related to her military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error and requires an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lower back disorder.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating increases, as well as a new examination is required to assess his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate medical opinions that did not consider lay evidence of continuous symptoms after service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee disability, eczema, low back/tailbone disability, and headaches due to inadequate examination reports and failure to address pre-service conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's low back disability and his service-connected left lower extremity shell fragment wound residuals. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a low back disability that may be secondary to his service-connected left lower extremity SFW residuals.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of lumbar strain, and the Board dismissed the case.

The Veteran's hearing loss is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it was aggravated by service and whether any increase in severity was due to its natural progression.,The Veteran's bilateral foot disability is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it was aggravated by service and whether any increase in severity was due to its natural progression. Additional steps are needed to verify the inservice injury that led to his current condition.,The Veteran's low back disability is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it began during service, manifested within one year after discharge, or is related to service. Further steps are needed to obtain in-service treatment records and verify stressors.,The Veteran's bilateral knee disability is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it began during service, manifested within one year after discharge, or is related to service. Further steps are needed to obtain in-service treatment records and verify the inservice injury.,The Veteran's asthma is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it was diagnosed while in service and whether any increase in severity is due to his service-connected ankle disabilities.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression) is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it began during service, manifested within one year after discharge, or is related to service. Further steps are needed to verify stressors.

New and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for lumbosacral strain.,The Veteran's PTSD is related to his military service. The examiner should provide an opinion on whether ED was aggravated by his acquired psychiatric disability.,Service connection is granted for PTSD, but no rating assigned as it is presumed due to in-service personal assault.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities and his cervical spine disability rated at 10 percent. The increased rating claim for the neck disability was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a cervical spine disability as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine and/or bilateral foot disabilities due to inadequate opinions provided by the VA examiner. The case will be returned for further evaluation.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating. The Veteran was granted increased ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve and femoral nerve radiculopathy effective November 7, 2018. Service connection for erectile dysfunction was granted with an effective date of October 13, 2017.

The Veteran's low back disability and radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities were granted increased ratings, with a 40% rating for each condition from April 7, 2015 to November 18, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is granted. The claims for service connection and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has ordered an addendum VA examination to address the Veteran's claim of service connection for a lower back condition due to inadequate previous examination and remand instructions.

The Board has remanded the claim for an increased rating for lumbar spinal stenosis due to additional development needed, including a VA examination to assess the severity of flare-ups and their impact on functional ability.