Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluation of his disabilities due to incomplete records and need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for several service connection claims, including those related to PTSD, hypertension, heart condition, back condition, right hip condition, left hip condition, bilateral feet peripheral neuropathy, and monoclonal gammopathy. The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for clarification of medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal.,Service connection was denied for cervical, low back, and right knee disabilities. The Veteran did not have TBI or a vision problem at any time during the pendency of the claim.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including the spinal stimulator and multiple surgeries, is granted at a 40 percent rating since April 9, 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from performing physical labor and office-type work since at least August 12, 2013. The Board has determined that the criteria for a TDIU have been met since at least August 12, 2013.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right knee, left knee, and back disabilities due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's military experiences with long marches in heavy gear are suggested as a possible cause.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations for lumbosacral spine, IVDS with DDD is denied. Prior to December 14, 2018, the evaluation was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. Beginning December 14, 2018, the evaluation remains denied due to lack of findings of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for back condition, left ankle injury, hypertension, and sleep disorder due to outstanding medical records and further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to an incomplete VA examination and a need for additional evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's low back disorder and his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee conditions. The case is being remanded to determine the nature and origin of her low back condition and vaginal disorder (previously claimed as chronic yeast infections).,Service connection for a low back condition and vaginal disorder are both currently pending and will be addressed again after obtaining additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also remanded.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations scheduled for November 2018 were not conducted due to cancellation, and thus a new examination is needed. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it may be impacted by the development of the disability claim.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected degenerative lumbar disc disease. The appeal for increased ratings on the remaining issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability was granted a 40% rating from February 26, 2019. The effective date for this rating is not specified.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need to comply with a Court decision in Correia v. McDonald, 28 Vet. App. 158 (2016).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for DJD of the lumbar spine, right hip, and left hip due to conflicting medical opinions. The Veteran asserts that his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities have caused or aggravated his current lumbar spine and bilateral hip conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD, right ankle tendinitis, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and degenerative disease of the lumbar spine are all remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for a cardiac disorder, cervical disorder, and lumbar disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is not considered as the primary cause of her current cardiac condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions, particularly those related to bilateral ankles, knees, hips, lumbar spine, cervical spine, right ankle condition, left ankle condition, right knee condition, left knee condition, right hip condition, left hip condition, and sleep apnea. The claims are also remanded for increased evaluations.

The Board has vacated and remanded the claims for increased ratings of service-connected left shoulder, right shoulder, lumbar spine, left hip, and right hip disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations in 2014.