Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been shown to prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment throughout the appeals period, resulting in a grant of TDIU.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Board has dismissed all the issues related to service connection and rating for various conditions as it does not have jurisdiction due to the legacy appeals process.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and diabetes mellitus were denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service. His claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD was also denied, as the symptoms described did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence sufficient to readjudicate the previously denied claim for service connection for bronchitis has been received. The claims for service connection for lumbar spine disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and sleep apnea are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his active duty service and a rating of 10 percent has been assigned.,Service connection for allergies, left knee osteoarthritis, and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease have been granted. Service connection for left hamstring condition was denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including coronary artery disease with coronary bypass graft, other specified trauma and stressor related disorder (PTSD), bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbar strain, mild muscle weakness in multiple extremities, and embolic stroke residual, were granted effective from March 31, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for depressive disorder was denied. Service connection for lumbar spondylosis and degenerative osteoarthritis of the bilateral hands were granted, while service connection for PTSD, hearing loss, and lower back pain was denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and lumbar spine DDD are granted service connection, but the linear scar is denied. The case for lumbar spine DDD is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right elbow condition and low back condition, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic disability during or within one year after service. The Board also found that any current conditions are not related to military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development to obtain relevant medical records and determine the appropriate disability ratings and service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance of another person due to service-connected disabilities, as well as housebound status due to service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not establish that the Veteran was in need of regular aid and assistance or permanently housebound solely due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include a back condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding increased ratings for lumbar spine and right shoulder tendonitis disabilities, as well as earlier effective dates for these conditions. As a result, the Board dismissed the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, soft tissue sarcoma, and subacute peripheral neuropathy are all granted. The claim for service connection for subacute peripheral neuropathy is denied due to lack of evidence meeting the required presumptive criteria.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, OSA as secondary to PTSD, and increased rating for PTSD is remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's insomnia and migraine headaches are granted service connection.,The Veteran's back disorder is remanded for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's BUE disorder, to include cubital tunnel syndrome, is remanded for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's sleep disorder, other than insomnia, to include obstructive sleep apnea, is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations for DDD of the lumbar spine was denied. The evaluation from April 5, 2007 to July 27, 2009 was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating. The evaluation beginning July 27, 2009 was also denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher than 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, higher initial ratings for his disabilities, and nonservice-connected pension are being remanded due to the need to obtain SSA records and updated income information.

The Veteran's service-connected left distal tibia fracture is found to be the primary cause of his degenerative disc disease, sacroiliac joint strain, cervical spine arthritis, bilateral hip arthritis, and fibromyalgia.,Service connection for major depressive disorder secondary to service-connected left distal tibia fracture has been granted.