Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine strain, left foot disability, and left ear hearing loss are all rated at the lowest possible level (10%) due to their current severity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and right shoulder disabilities are not service-connected as they did not occur during a period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA).

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, low back disorder, neck disorder, and hemorrhoids due to incomplete examination reports and failure to address all relevant evidence.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, a cervical spine disorder as secondary to a lumbar spine disorder, and a left hip disorder as secondary to a lumbar spine disorder.,Service connection was not granted because the evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's back disorders were related to active service.

The Board has decided that there is not enough evidence to determine if the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was incurred during his active service. The case is being sent back for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to new evidence obtained from service treatment records and personnel records.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a retrospective opinion regarding neurological effects of the service-connected lumbar spine disorder and an attempt to obtain private treatment records.

The Board has determined that further clarification and medical guidance are needed regarding the nature of the Veteran's service-connected low back disability, including whether other conditions such as lumbosacral DDD or scoliosis should be considered part of her current service-connected entity. The case is being remanded for a VA examination to clarify these issues.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for degenerative arthritis, thoracolumbar spine, secondary to cervical spine degenerative joint disease has been dismissed as the claim is not before the Board. The appeals for bilateral hand and wrist condition and bilateral foot and ankle condition are remanded.

The Veteran's back disability has not been manifested by forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees; combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine not greater than 120 degrees. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected back disability is denied.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral pes planus, and shoulder disabilities were denied. The claim for a back disability was not addressed as it is considered part of the service-connected fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability and right eye weakness have been reopened, and the Board has granted them. The appeals to increase ratings for hand dermatitis, generalized anxiety disorder (prior to February 13, 2018), essential tremor of the right hand, essential tremor of the left hand, and special monthly compensation at the housebound rate are all pending.,The Veteran's low back disability has been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's right eye weakness claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and musculoskeletal disabilities are found to be the primary cause of his obstructive sleep apnea, which is granted as secondary.

The Board has remanded several claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing updated opinions from VA examiners.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased rating were denied. Service connection was not granted for right ankle disorder, left leg disorder, or back disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's other specified trauma and stressor related disorder was rated at 70 percent.

The Veteran's left knee disability, thoracolumbar spine strain with IVDS, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy have all been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches and has remanded the issues of service connection for a skin disability, bilateral hip disability, low back disability, and bilateral knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for major depressive disorder was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent.,The effective date for service connection for lumbar radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was denied because there was no indication that the Veteran intended to apply for benefits until December 3, 2012.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition began during his active military service and is related to his in-service symptoms.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development and examination due to incomplete or insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed disabilities.