Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service connection claims for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, lumbar spine disability, bowel and bladder dysfunction, hip impairments, ankle strains, flat feet, knee limitations of flexion, shoulder disability, elbow bursitis/limitation of flexion, and tension headaches have been granted. The Veteran also received increased ratings for his right hip impairment and limitation of extension as well as a 60 percent rating for his lumbar spine disability effective November 13, 2014.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hemorrhoids and a low back disorder due to insufficient development. The Veteran's current diagnoses were not present in service or for years thereafter, but there is new evidence suggesting they may be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of marked limited motion in any ankle or knee, and thus no higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes could be granted.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine and left hip disabilities. The VA needs to obtain additional medical records, arrange for new examinations, and provide a clear opinion on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete compliance with prior remand instructions and the need for additional medical opinions. The claims are related to bilateral shoulder disability, cervical spine disability (secondary to knee disability), and lumbar spine disability (secondary to knee disability).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck disorder, low back disorder, and respiratory disorder are all granted. The decision also notes that the claim of service connection for a low back disorder is reopened due to new and material evidence.

The Veteran's back disorder is remanded for a new VA examination to determine if it is related to his in-service slip and fall injury.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, is remanded for an addendum opinion addressing whether it is secondary to the service-connected back disorder or tinnitus.,The Veteran's headaches are remanded for a VA examination to determine if they are related to his in-service complaints of head pain and/or service-connected tinnitus.,The Veteran's hypertension claim is remanded for an addendum opinion on whether it is secondary to his acquired psychiatric disorder and/or back disorder.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the current condition is not causally related to service and is not aggravated by or caused by a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left elbow disability and a back disability due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, but the VA examiners have not provided sufficient opinions regarding direct service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and needs additional information from a medical expert regarding whether the Veteran's back disability is related to his service.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy associated with a back disability, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as there was no credible evidence linking these conditions to active military service.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of December 7, 1998 for the establishment of entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's headaches were also denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent.,Service connection was not granted as the evidence did not support that any current diagnosed conditions resulted from service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy is granted as secondary to her service-connected cervical spine disability. A 40 percent rating for her lumbar spine disability is granted, effective from February 27, 2015. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since the entire rating period on appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for service connection of a back disability due to incomplete development and lack of substantial compliance with previous remands. The Veteran's complete service treatment records, including any service in Germany from 1978, need to be obtained. Additionally, all medical care providers who treated the Veteran for back complaints since service should be contacted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the Veteran's back disability and confirming that all pertinent VA and private treatment records have been obtained.

The Board has determined that new examinations are needed for the Veteran's claims of osteoporosis of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, right hip and femur, and left hip and femur due to potential inconsistencies in previous examination reports. The case is being remanded for these purposes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disorder, right leg disorder, left leg disorder, and headaches due to inadequate VA opinions. The Veteran is required to provide additional evidence or explanations.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability can be adjudicated.

The Board granted service connection for cervical-spine disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is directly caused by his in-service wear and carry of heavy equipment. However, it denied service connection for thoracolumbar-spine disorder due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.,Service connection was established for cervical spine issues based on chronicity and a nexus between in-service injury and current disability. The Board found no direct link between the Veteran's thoracic spine disorder and his military service.