Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has dismissed all service connection and increased rating claims due to the death of the appellant.

The claim to reopen the issue of service connection for a left leg disability is granted. The claims for service connection for OSA, right leg disability, eye disability, low back strain, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, erectile dysfunction (ED), prostate cancer residuals, and coronary artery disease are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have worsened since the last evaluations, and a new VA examination is needed to assess their current severity.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder, right and left knee disabilities are rated based on their current manifestations. The Board has remanded the issues of secondary service connection for back disability and bilateral leg disability as well as evaluations in excess of 30 percent for major depressive disorder, 20 percent for each knee instability issue, and 10 percent for each knee limitation of motion issue.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral leg pain, claimed as fibromyalgia; lumbosacral spine disability; and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy due to inadequate examination opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis, tinnitus, and denied service connection for residuals of wisdom teeth extraction, a back disability, headaches, bilateral hearing loss, and COPD. The claims for service connection were reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to deficiencies in the prior VA examinations and opinions. The issues include service connection for various knee, shoulder, hip, and ankle disabilities, all secondary to a service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, as well as his lumbar spine disability, have been granted increased ratings effective July 9, 2016. The maximum rating available for these conditions has not yet been reached.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions regarding whether the Veteran's low back disability is related to his service-connected pes planus with plantar fasciitis. The RO must obtain all outstanding medical records and provide a new VA opinion on the etiology of the low back disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, so the case is dismissed.

The Board has previously denied the claim for service connection for a low back disorder. The case is being remanded to obtain Social Security Administration records that may be relevant to the claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for neck, lower back, right hip, left hip, and left knee disorders due to a lack of compliance with VA's duty to assist in obtaining private medical records. The Veteran submitted new evidence from a private doctor that suggests his current conditions may be related to an accident in 1960.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected lower back condition has been dismissed because he withdrew the appeal before a decision was made.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the case is remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) records, which may contain relevant medical information.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including hysterectomy residuals and various orthopedic issues, have rendered her unable to work in any physical or sedentary job throughout the appeal period. The Board has granted TDIU based on these disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, finding that it is not related to his active duty service or his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issues of service connection for low back disability, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.

The Veteran's service-connected back and neck disabilities render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition. The case is now remanded for further development, including obtaining an opinion on whether the Veteran's current lumbar spine disorder is related to his service-connected right total knee replacement and/or left total knee replacement.