Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's claimed conditions and his presumed exposure to herbicides during service.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service complaints of low back pain. Service connection was denied for gastrointestinal stromal tumor and TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease, finding that his current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his in-service duties.

The Veteran's pes planus has been rated based on the severity of his symptoms, with a current rating of 50 percent from May 29, 2018. The right ankle and low back disabilities have not yet been evaluated by VA.,Service connection for a neck disability and bilateral hip disability remains pending as additional medical opinions are needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, low back, and left lower extremity nerve disabilities due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip, right knee, and lumbar spine disorders due to inadequate medical opinions. The issues are now before the Board again.

The Board has determined that new evidence received after the July 2019 denial is relevant to the claims of service connection for psychiatric disability, back disability, headache disability, tinnitus, and residuals of TBI. The Veteran's current disabilities are found to have begun during active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, anxiety disorder, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, degenerative arthritis of the bilateral knees, and instability of the knees, have prevented him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a duty to assist error and the need for additional evidence, particularly private treatment records from Premier Neurological Services in Canton, Georgia.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability and a lumbar spine disability, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, left knee disability, right knee disability, PTSD, erectile dysfunction, and low back disability have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew these claims prior to a decision being made.,Service connection has been granted for hemorrhoids. The evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's current low back disability is related to his service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain was dismissed as he withdrew the appeal in a September 2021 correspondence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is proximately due to his service-connected knee disabilities, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate efforts by the RO in obtaining VA treatment records from 1972 to 2000. The Veteran is asked to clarify his arthritis and neuropathy claims, and any relevant private treatment records are sought.

The Veteran's lower back disorder is being remanded for an additional VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition, including during flare-ups and with repeated use over time.

A rating of 20 percent for low back disability is granted from September 18, 2012.,Ratings of 20 percent are granted for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy from February 14, 2017.

The Board has remanded the case due to challenges regarding the competency of VA examiners. The Veteran needs to provide curriculum vitae for specific VA examiners who provided opinions on his low back strain.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected lumbar spine conditions and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and her current hypertension. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's chest pains due to undiagnosed illness are currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a more severe disability.,The Veteran's low back pain with mild disc bulge L4-5 and cervical spine disabilities have been remanded due to inadequate examination findings regarding range of motion, ankylosis, and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS).