Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for low back strain and major depressive disorder due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. However, these claims are still pending as they have been remanded for further examination and analysis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left shoulder and lower back disabilities due to inadequate examinations and failure to consider relevant evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral tinnitus is granted. Claims for left ankle disability, low back disability, and left big toe injury are dismissed due to withdrawal of appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and right foot disability, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to in-service events or injuries.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his service connection claim for a low back condition and remanded it for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to inadequate opinions in previous examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and lumbar spine disability, as well as service connection for gastrointestinal problems, are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a rating of 30 percent for migraine headaches is granted, effective from the date of the decision. The appeal regarding service connection for low back disorder and bilateral foot disorders is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lower back condition and allergic rhinitis due to inadequate opinions in the VA examinations. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which he contends are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of evidence regarding an in-service motor vehicle accident (MVA) that may have caused the Veteran's current lumbar spine disorder. The AOJ is instructed to obtain service personnel records and any related treatment records from the MVA, if available.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for GERD was withdrawn by the Veteran at his July 2019 hearing. The Board dismissed the remaining claims of service connection for low back and neck disabilities, bilateral leg and hand disabilities (numbness), and a psychiatric disorder.,Service connection was denied for all issues due to lack of evidence linking any diagnosed conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, as well as his service connection claims for sciatica/bilateral leg disability and lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for her lumbar spine disability prior to September 6, 2013 is denied. The case is remanded for further development regarding a higher rating from September 6, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations to address the severity of his lumbar spine disability, hypothyroidism, and right ventricular hypertrophy.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected back disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and retroactive consideration of the Court's decision in Correia v. McDonald, 28 Vet. App. 158 (2016).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine disability and lumbar radiculopathy due to a lack of VA treatment records from April 2013 and July 2013, which may contain relevant information about the Veteran's symptoms and possible nexus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to uncertainty about the nature and etiology of his disabilities, including hypertension, lumbar spine disability, skin rash, and feet blisters. The VA will obtain updated treatment records and SSA records, and schedule the Veteran for examinations to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was aggravated by his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, resulting in a grant of service connection.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is denied as there is no evidence linking it to active duty service.,Degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is not service connected due to lack of evidence showing its onset during service or being caused by a service-connected disability. Service connection was granted based on aggravation by his service-connected lumbar spine disorder.,The cause of death, hepatocellular carcinoma resulting from hepatitis C, is recognized as service-connected.,An increased rating greater than 20 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is granted due to its severity and impact on employment.,TDIU is granted based on the Veteran's inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left total knee replacement is rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5055.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as there is no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes during the appeal period.,Prior to February 9, 2019, the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine was rated at 10 percent. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted due to limited forward flexion and no evidence of ankylosis.