Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic back disability, to include as secondary to right ankle and bilateral knee disabilities, should be remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected back disability and for TDIU due to inadequate medical evidence and procedural issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability and a respiratory disability due to inadequate medical opinions in previous decisions. The claims are now pending for further development.

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

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the onset and relationship of the claimed conditions to service. The Veteran's low back, knee, hemorrhoid, GERD, and urinary tract disabilities are all being reviewed further.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's shoulder and back disabilities, as well as his heart disability. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain disability was granted a 40% rating beginning July 7, 2017. The effective date is not specified as it was factually ascertainable that the condition had increased in severity.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence. The issues include increased ratings for lumbosacral spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, GERD, and service connection for a right shoulder disability, joint pain, and neck disability.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disability and right shoulder disability, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service. The Veteran's current disabilities are consistent with his military activities and injury during service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and rating of left knee DJD and back disability was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet criteria for a higher rating for his left knee DJD, but granted separate ratings for limitation of extension and instability. Service connection for his back disability was also denied.

The Board has denied service connection for right hip, left hip, right foot, and left foot disabilities secondary to the Veteran's lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the neck and lumbosacral spine degenerative joint disease due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives. The VA is required to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased rating, temporary total rating, and TDIU due to incomplete compliance with previous remand instructions.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for an increased initial rating of 10 percent for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and the Board dismissed the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right hip strain and service connection for a lumbar spine disability were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings or service connection, respectively.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for any of the claimed conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The evidence does not establish a current disability or an in-service event, injury, or disease.

The Board has found that additional development is needed due to inconsistencies between the Veteran's reported symptoms and those reflected in his treatment records and VA examination reports. The claims for higher initial disability ratings for right foot hallux valgus with arthritis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint, degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, and right lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU was denied. The Board found no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes, leading to a denial of higher ratings for his thoracolumbar spine disability and radiculopathy. However, the Veteran was granted TDIU due to multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability, finding that there is a nexus between the two conditions.

The Veteran's headaches have been granted service connection as they are presumed to have started during active service.,Service connection for the back disability has not been established, with the Board finding that it is less likely than not incurred in or caused by the claimed in-service injury.