Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine condition, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy on the merits.

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

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for his lumbar spine disability from December 9, 2014 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase to higher ratings due to lack of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability and bilateral wrist pain have been reopened, but the merits of these claims are not currently addressed due to pending remands.,Effective date claims for right knee and right shoulder disabilities remain unresolved.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board has remanded for a new examination to assess the current severity of his condition. Additionally, he seeks an earlier effective date for the rating assignment. The case is being returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and updated treatment records.,The Board is requesting that the Veteran be scheduled for updated VA examinations to determine the current severity of his musculoskeletal, bowel, and bladder symptomatology.

A rating higher than 20 percent for cervical spondylitis between June 8, 2009 and January 12, 2015 is denied.,A 30 percent rating for cervical spondylitis effective from January 12, 2015 is granted.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine has not met the criteria for an increased evaluation in excess of 20 percent from June 20, 2014 to November 3, 2015 and thereafter.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and lower back conditions, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's low back disability has been granted a 40 percent rating. The claim for total disability due to individual unemployability is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disability and sciatica of bilateral lower extremities, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service or a service-connected condition. The Board also denied increased ratings for right shoulder and right ankle disabilities.,Service connection was not granted as the Veteran did not provide sufficient medical evidence to establish that his current lumbar spine disability or sciatica were caused by or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee DJD and back disability, finding that the disabilities are secondary to a service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected left shoulder disability.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability, including a labral tear and arthritis, is granted as secondary to his service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, but no higher, effective September 29, 2013. The Board also granted entitlement to an initial rating of 40 percent for the service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination reports and failure to consider all relevant evidence, including lay statements and medical records.

The Board has remanded the claims for migraine headaches, low back disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to inadequate follow-up of instructions from previous VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding whether the Veteran's back disorder is related to his military service. The Veteran testified about an in-service injury, but the VA examiner did not consider this testimony and instead focused solely on lack of documentation in records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability. The case will be returned for an addendum opinion that addresses whether his DDD is related to service, including considering his age at diagnosis and any aggravation by service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further development, including an examination to determine if the Veteran needs aid and attendance or is housebound based on his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for cervical radiculopathy of the left upper extremity and lumbar radiculopathy of the left lower extremity were denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for colon cancer was also denied.