Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the current condition and in-service injury or disease. The Veteran's claim based on an undiagnosed illness was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability. The AOJ is instructed to obtain treatment records and provide a supplemental medical opinion from an appropriate VA physician.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's back injury, including its relationship to service.

The Veteran's headaches are granted as service connected, with the Board finding reasonable doubt in favor of his claim. The lumbar spine disability and shin splints issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating of headaches has been granted, with a 50 percent disability rating.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (major depressive disorder and panic disorder) has also been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD and remanded the issue of rating a thoracolumbar strain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus due to outstanding relevant treatment records not being associated with his claims file.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for left knee disability and service connection for a low back disorder were denied. The Board found no evidence of recurrent subluxation or lateral instability, dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of pain, locking, and effusion into the joint, flexion limited to 30 degrees, extension limited to 15 degrees, malunion of the tibia or fibula, or significant symptoms related to a low back disorder. The Veteran's current conditions are attributed to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran requested to withdraw all his appeal issues, including those related to lumbar spine disability and PTSD. As a result, the Board dismissed the appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and low back conditions due to insufficient examination reports and lack of private treatment records.

The Board has decided that the claim for service connection for a back disability, including as secondary to service-connected right and left knee disabilities, needs further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and neuropathy of the lower extremities as secondary to service-connected foot disabilities. The issues of asthma and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for cardiovascular disease, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, and lower lumbar spine degenerative disc disease due to insufficient medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's back disability is secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability and whether it was caused by in-service helicopter jumps.

The Board has decided to remand several claims for further evaluation, including a new VA examination for bilateral hearing loss and additional medical records for other conditions.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 10 percent for the period prior to November 12, 2019, and at 40 percent beginning November 12, 2019.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to insufficient evidence from the previous VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and cervical spine disability have been denied as the evidence does not show that her conditions warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent or 20 percent, respectively.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar radiculopathy, left lower extremity (claimed as sciatica), to include as secondary to service-connected low back strain is remanded due to inadequate examination and need for a new opinion.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spondylosis and granted a 100 percent rating for PTSD effective March 29, 2015. The decision on the earlier effective date for PTSD is pending.