Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that it is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his low back condition and for TDIU due to inextricably intertwined issues. The RO is instructed to issue a Statement of the Case addressing the low back claim.

The Veteran's back disorder, including degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, was not first manifested on active duty and is not shown to be the result of active service. The Board found no causal link between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent, but no higher, for PTSD prior to May 18, 2012 is granted. The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has remanded both the DIC benefits pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1151 and service connection for the cause of death claims due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the appellant's contentions regarding timely diagnosis and treatment of the Veteran’s UTI, sepsis, and other conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hand condition, back condition, neck condition, left arm condition, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and headaches have been denied. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against finding a direct or secondary relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of right and left hip disorders, as well as right and left knee disorders, all secondary to a service-connected lumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a low back disability, lumbosacral strain, intervertebral disc syndrome and spinal fusion are granted. Service connection is also granted for arachnoiditis as secondary to the low back disability. However, service connection for right lower extremity neuropathy and left lower extremity neuropathy are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and hypertension due to incomplete or inadequate opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and medical opinions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was remanded due to insufficient reasons and bases in the Board's decision. The case is now back with the Board for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected thoracolumbar strain is being remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings and earlier effective dates due to outstanding private treatment records and violations of VA examination guidelines.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's back disability is caused or aggravated by his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine, right hip, and left knee disabilities are granted as service-connected. The Board also found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus may be related to his in-service noise exposure but more evidence is needed for a definitive conclusion.

The Veteran's sleep disorder, diabetes mellitus, Type II, peripheral neuropathies of the upper and lower extremities, right shoulder impairment, left shoulder impairment, cervical spine disorder, arthritis of the ankles and hips, and tinnitus are not service-connected as they did not begin during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's cerebrovascular accident, status post is not service-connected as it was first shown years after separation from service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was initially rated at 10% prior to October 11, 2012. A rating of 20% is granted beginning from that date.,For the thoracolumbar spine disability, a denial remains as it did not meet the criteria for an initial rating in excess of 10%

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's back disorder is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evidence collection. Specifically, a new VA examination is required for his left knee disability, cervical radiculopathy of both upper extremities, back condition, right ankle sprain, and left ankle sprain.

The Veteran's tinnitus, lower back disorder, and neck disorder are granted service connection. The right middle finger arthritis and chondrosarcoma claims are denied.