Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for a back condition, neck condition, and cervical radiculopathy as there was no evidence of chronic disability in service or within one year following discharge.,There is no indication that the Veteran's current spine and radicular disorders are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating for service-connected thoracolumbar spine, degenerative joint disease was partially granted in May 2018. The Court vacated the decision and remanded it due to an inadequate examination. This case is being remanded again to obtain proper testing of pain on non-weight bearing.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, finding that the current condition is less likely than not caused by or related to active military service.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for right lower extremity radiculopathy, impingement syndrome of the left shoulder with osteoarthritis, and lumbosacral strain with mild DDD have been denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the claim for a VA medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's current low back disability is related to his active duty service and if it is aggravated by his service-connected residuals of urethritis. The matter will be readjudicated after obtaining updated VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's hip and back disorders are aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claim for an addendum VA opinion to address whether the Veteran's low back disorder is related to his military service, including as a result of in-service lifting and treatment for back strain. The case will also be reviewed to determine if arthritis manifested within one year of separation from service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for chronic lumbar strain and pes planus due to inadequate VA examinations, and new evaluations are required.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for dyslipidemia is denied as it is not a disability under VA law and regulations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spine strain, low back pain, degenerative joint diseases of the shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, ankles, and feet, allergic rhinitis, peptic ulcer, diverticulosis, hiatal hernia, erectile dysfunction, benign prostate hyperplasia, memory disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and major depression are remanded for further development.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a total disability rating due to unemployability (TDIU) is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the above-mentioned issues.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded for additional development. The Veteran is also seeking a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and service connection due to deficiencies in prior VA examinations.

The Veteran's service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a back disability are denied as the preponderance of evidence does not support these conditions being related to his military service.

The Veteran's back disability, including lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis, and IVDS, has been rated at 40 percent since July 23, 2009 to December 13, 2012, and from February 1, 2013 forward. The Board found that the disability did not meet criteria for a higher rating due to lack of incapacitating episodes or unfavorable ankylosis.

The Board has dismissed all claims as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and thoracolumbar spine disability. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, a delusional disorder or alcohol use disorder; traumatic brain injury (TBI) residuals; neck disorder and lower back disorder due to unresolved medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, back condition, and heart disability due to incomplete medical opinions and failure to comply with previous directives.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an upper back disorder, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between his current cervical and thoracic spine disorders and his service-connected lumbar spine condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back disability, sleep apnea, and bilateral feet disability due to inadequate VA examinations that did not consider the Veteran's lay reports of symptoms during service.

The Board has granted service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service. The claims for left knee and right knee disabilities have been remanded.