Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's back disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and sleep apnea are all at issue. The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for sleep apnea.,The Veteran is seeking higher ratings for his back disability and lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability should be remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical examinations and because of errors in considering the effects of medication on the Veteran's range of motion. The Veteran is being asked for an addendum opinion regarding her range of motion with and without pain medication.

The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbar strain, right knee disability, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have been denied. The Board found that the current diagnoses are not related to in-service events or conditions.,There is no clear evidence of a chronic condition during service, and any post-service arthritis is not shown as having started during service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals as to service connection for low back disorder, diabetes mellitus, and coronary artery disease due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right foot, left foot, right hip, left hip, and low back conditions, finding that there is at least a 50% likelihood that these conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, low back disorder, and bilateral or unilateral foot disorder.,No new evidence was presented to reopen the previously denied claims of service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis of the entire body and low back disability, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year after separation, and that any current conditions are not related to military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical back condition and gastrointestinal disorder due to issues with the medical opinions provided in prior examinations. The Veteran is required to undergo further examination to determine if her conditions are related to service.

An initial 20 percent rating, but not higher, for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the thoracolumbar spine is granted. Separate 10 percent ratings are granted for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities effective May 9, 2009.,A separate initial 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of hypertension, thus denying the claim. For other conditions, the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board found that the reduction of the Veteran's low back disability rating from 40% to 20% was improper and restored the original 40% rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease with lumbosacral strain to include IVDS and bilateral lower radiculopathy is denied. The evidence does not show that it was factually ascertainable that there was an increase in the Veteran’s disability such that a rating in excess of 40 percent was warranted.

The Veteran's gout is granted as secondary to service-connected renal disease.,Degenerative arthritis/osteoarthritis/DJD of the cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, and hips are granted as secondary to service-connected osteopenia.

Service connection is granted for a right shoulder disability.,Service connection is denied for bilateral hand, wrists, hip, knee, elbow, ankle, and foot disabilities.,Service connection is denied for lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, right leg disability, left leg disability, and right ankle disability. The Veteran's current disabilities are not related to his period of active duty.,Service connection was denied as the evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

Service connection for headaches and bilateral upper extremity paresthesia has been granted.,The claim for diffuse musculoskeletal pain is being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete verification of service dates and the need for additional medical records, as well as a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to a back disability due to lack of evidence showing the conditions were related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right leg disability, and therefore denied her claim for service connection. The other issues are remanded for further examination and opinion.