Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has denied service connection for pharynx and thoracic/mid back disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lung cancer. The claims are being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for myositis as secondary to a service-connected right shoulder disability, but denied service connection for a thoracic spine disability.

The Board has found that further development of the record is necessary for proper adjudication of these claims, including obtaining treatment records and arranging for examinations. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are being remanded to allow for a determination on their current severity.

The Board has already granted entitlement to service connection for PTSD and a low back disability in a January 2019 rating decision, so the issues are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a TBI and low back disability due to new evidence received since the last denial. The Veteran's contentions regarding in-service injuries, memory impairment, and head injuries are considered.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right elbow disability was reopened and granted. The appeal is remanded for further development on the issues of low back, foot, and acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, but remanded the issue of service connection for a cervical spine disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claims are pending further examination and development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left-hand disorder, finding that there was no evidence of chronicity since service and that the current disability is not related to active service.

The Board has remanded the issues of TDIU and nonservice-connected pension benefits due to incomplete information provided by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for mechanical lumbar strain and psychiatric disability (including OCD and GAD) have been denied as the Veteran failed to appear for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims regarding cervical spinal stenosis with degenerative disc disease and PTSD due to insufficient rationale in previous VA opinions.

The Board has denied service connection for a right knee disability and remanded the issue of entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) prior to September 13, 2010.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or incident causing these conditions. The Board also found insufficient evidence to establish a secondary service connection for nerve disabilities.

The Board denied a higher rating for the Veteran's lumbosacral strain with osteoarthritis of the thoracic spine, finding that his disability did not meet or more nearly approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals regarding higher initial disability ratings for lumbar spine, right knee, left knee, and instability of the left knee disabilities. The Board dismissed these issues as a result.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is related to his service, and thus granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to inadequate addendum opinions regarding functional loss during flare-ups of pain in the Veteran's back and right elbow.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to ensure that VA fulfilled its duty to assist the Veteran in substantiating his appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.