Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for low back, right hip, and hypertension disabilities due to their secondary nature to service-connected knee disabilities. The Veteran needs to undergo VA examinations to determine if his current conditions are caused or aggravated by his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to adequately attend to his daily living needs without regular aid and attendance, thus granting special monthly compensation based on this need.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of anal fissures, DDD of the thoracolumbar spine, right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and right lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy was dismissed. The VA granted a 40% rating for DDD of the thoracolumbar spine effective June 12, 2015.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a lumbar spine disorder due to the need for additional medical opinions and records, including those from his service period.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The initial rating for DJD, DDD, and mild scoliosis of the thoracic and lumbar spine was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were also denied. Service connection for a cervical spine disorder, cardiovascular disorder (specifically congenital bicuspid aortic valve with insufficiency heart murmur), hypertension, IBS, umbilical hernia, and prostatitis was granted.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions, including low back disability, bilateral foot disability, left leg disability (with rod emplacement), tinnitus, and diabetes mellitus. The appeals were all denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and associated left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve is granted with an effective date of August 28, 2017.,Service connection for bilateral shin splints is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion.,Service connection for bilateral foot disorder, to include plantar fasciitis and bunions, is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back pain, hyperlipidemia, and prostate disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disorder, neck disorder, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, obstructive sleep apnea, COPD, and nasal condition.

The Veteran's back disability is granted service connection, while the liver disability issue remains pending and remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's death was caused by VA's negligent care following surgery in January 2004, resulting in a pulmonary embolus and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Service connection for the left foot disorder, back disorder, left knee disorder, left hip disorder, and asbestos exposure is denied as there is no evidence of service incurrence or aggravation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck and back disabilities, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for a cervical spine disability was not reopened, but his right knee limitation of extension is now granted. The remaining issues related to the Veteran's patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee, right shoulder surgical repair residuals with tendinitis, DDD of the lumbar spine, and right upper extremity scar are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spondylosis but remanded the issue of service connection for a left shoulder condition.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and other disabilities have rendered her unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, leading the Board to grant TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus of the right and left feet due to aggravation. Service connection is remanded for low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disability and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service. Service connection was denied for diabetes mellitus and diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,An increased rating for PFB residuals (pseudofolliculitis barbae) is remanded, as new examination findings may be necessary given changes in VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine as secondary to his left knee disability is granted. His claim for a higher rating for interolateral instability of the left knee, status post medial meniscectomy, remains denied.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for left shoulder, back, right ankle, and sleep disorder (to include sleep apnea) service connection. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss resulted in no worse than Level I hearing impairment in each ear, resulting in a noncompensable rating.,The Veteran seeks service connection for various conditions including back disability (claimed as fibromyalgia), Gulf War Syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD). The Board finds that remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions and examinations.