Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment since December 26, 2001.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to his service-connected lumbar spine and thoracolumbar spine disabilities. The claims are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, a new VA examination, and completing the Veteran’s application for TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, but remanded the claims of hypertension, sinusitis, tinnitus, and a skin rash on the arm due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability and obstructive sleep apnea has been reopened, but both claims are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and earlier effective dates are being remanded due to the need for further development. The TDIU claim is also raised by the record.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including a TDIU claim, a rating increase for uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, and status-post bypass grafts. The issues are inextricably intertwined with each other.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lower back disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to assess the current level of severity of the Veteran's low back disability and to determine if the reduction in evaluation from 40 percent to 20 percent was proper. The propriety of the reduction is also being addressed.

Service connection is granted for lumbar spine bilateral pars defect L5-S1 with spondylolisthesis and degenerative changes. The Veteran's headaches are remanded to determine if they are related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's back condition is granted service connection, but his sinus disability and right shoulder and neck disabilities are denied.

The Veteran's back condition is remanded for further examination and to obtain updated medical records. The issue of an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for his degenerative changes with spondylosis and spondylolisthesis thoracolumbar spine remains on appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that there is no nexus between the current condition and military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a disability of the cervical spine has been reopened. The case is remanded for further evaluation and determination regarding his radiculopathy of the right lower extremity and DDD of the cervical spine.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's claimed back condition clearly and unmistakably pre-existed service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residual of fractured coccyx with residual low back condition is reopened, and the case is remanded to determine the likely cause of his current back disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim. The Board also found that the Veteran's current back disability is related to his in-service injury in June 1997.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right knee conditions due to insufficient examination addressing these specific issues.,Further medical opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's current knee complaints are related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, arthritis, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot disability. The claims were also denied for increased rating in excess of 10 percent prior to May 8, 2012 and 30 percent thereafter for a foot disability, and for entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied service connection for a left perforated eardrum, low back disability, tailbone disability, and dizziness as these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active military service.,Service connection was denied because the Veteran's preexisting left ear drum condition existed prior to service and did not worsen during service. The low back and tailbone disabilities were also found not to be related to service.