Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and tinnitus, but granted a higher rating of 70 percent for PTSD effective from August 30, 2017. The appeal regarding sleep apnea was denied.

The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection of a right shoulder disability is granted. Service connection for a right shoulder disability is also granted. The claim for an increased rating for low back strain, degenerative arthritis, and IVDS is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, right ankle disorder, left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, back disability, and PTSD. The decision was based on the lack of new and material evidence for BHL and the absence of diagnosed disabilities in other areas.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not entitled to a TDIU prior to March 1, 2013 due to his voluntary retirement and inconsistent employment history.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various knee and hip disabilities, as well as a low back disability due to insufficient rationale in previous VA examination reports. The Veteran is required to undergo additional VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was restored to a 20 percent evaluation effective December 8, 2017. Service connection for bilateral knee disabilities is granted.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition did not start during or as a result of his military service.

The Board has dismissed the issues of service connection for low back disorder, lower extremity neurological impairment secondary to a low back disorder, arthritis of multiple joints, bilateral lower extremity arthralgia, and bilateral foot impairment. The issues of service connection for intestinal blockage and gastroesophageal reflux disease have been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection and increased rating of his lumbosacral spine disability, as well as bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, is being remanded. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting evidence and need for further examination. The issues include right knee disorder, headaches, right shoulder disorder, dizziness and fainting spells, low back disorder, and left leg shin splints.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of left hand condition, right hand condition, hypertension, diabetes, and left leg condition are dismissed. The claim for reopening of a low back condition is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim for a low back condition due to insufficient explanation in the August 2017 denial and need for clarification. Additional records are requested, and a VA opinion is needed from an examiner other than the previous ones.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and missing records. The VA must obtain relevant treatment records, conduct new examinations, and provide adequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted a rating of 40 percent, effective from June 19, 2015.,Service connection for insomnia secondary to the Veteran's low back disability is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate examination reports. The VA examiner was not able to provide specific degrees of motion in each state and did not estimate the additional loss of range of motion upon flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is related to his service, specifically a June 1967 injury. The VA needs to verify the Veteran's ACDUTRA/INACDUTRA status and obtain all relevant medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for CAD and remanded the issues of service connection for heart problems, arthritis and pain in the lumbar and thoracic spine, a disability of the spine, thyroid disability (papillary thyroid micro carcinoma), renal cell carcinoma with radical right nephrectomy, and right lung cancer.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated medical examinations and treatment records for the Veteran's service-connected radiculopathy of the lower extremities and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, as well as to address the Veteran's claims for increased ratings.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and lumbar spine disability, finding no new or material evidence to reopen the claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disorder is not related to his active service, and thus denied his claim for service connection. However, due to new evidence submitted since the final denial, the claim was reopened.