Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has ordered remand for further development regarding the propriety of severance of service connection for DDD of the lumbosacral spine, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. The issues are inextricably intertwined due to the interrelated nature of the disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is due to an in-service motor vehicle accident and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is not service-connected.,The claim for service connection of actinic keratosis due to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam was remanded.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a back condition was denied as there is no new and material evidence presented.,His Huntington’s disease claim was also denied, with the Board finding that the preponderance of the evidence does not support a relationship between this condition and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected back disability, right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and femoral radiculopathy due to incomplete or non-compliance with VA examination requirements.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for a neck disability, spinal fusion (claimed as low back disorder), and headaches due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the Veteran's lay contentions regarding in-service injuries.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine from February 1, 2011 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show ankylosis or incapacitating episodes requiring bed rest and treatment by a physician.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and neuropathy of the left leg, finding that there was no evidence to support a causal relationship between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of right wrist tendonitis and remanded other claims due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right lumbar radiculopathy and service connection for right hip bursitis were denied. The claim for service connection of headaches was remanded.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection and TDIU due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular rating requirements for a TDIU, and the preponderance of the evidence is against finding that his service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for an adequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current low back disability is related to his service, given inconsistencies in previous opinions and the lack of documentation from service.

Effective June 2, 2014, a rating of 40 percent for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with compression fracture at L2 is granted.,Beginning July 7, 2016, a separate rating of 60 percent for neurogenic bladder is granted. Beginning December 7, 2016, a separate rating of 30 percent for fecal incontinence is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent, but no higher. His service-connected back disability has been granted.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of tinnitus and a back disorder due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability is denied. The issues of service connection for left lower extremity neuropathy and radiculopathy are remanded due to outstanding medical records.

The Board has remanded several claims related to low back, knee, and shoulder disorders. The claim for service connection for a low back disorder is being remanded due to new evidence indicating the Veteran may have lumbar stenosis.

The Board has denied service connection for the Veteran's back disability and remanded the claims for a seizure disorder and headache condition. The decision is binding only with respect to the specific matters decided.