Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection of left knee, shoulder, and low back disorders were denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and examination, including obtaining an opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar strain and a clarification of his pre-diabetes diagnosis.

The Veteran's low back disability and left leg radiculopathy were denied increased ratings, with the exception of a 20% rating for the period from July 25, 2013 to June 27, 2016 for his low back disability.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for low back, left knee, left hip, and right shoulder conditions have been reopened. The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for eligibility in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment, specially adapted housing, or a special home adaptation grant.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and potential conflicts in medical opinions. The Veteran will need a supplemental VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability, left and right knee disabilities, and tinnitus due to inadequate VA examinations and failure to properly request a DRO review.

The Board dismissed the appeal for a higher combined evaluation for service-connected disabilities due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal. The remaining issues, including increased ratings and TDIU, are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar strain and denied increased ratings for right and left knee PFS, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to the conditions, and that any current symptoms are not causally linked to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing medical records and unclear nature of his current conditions. The claims will be reviewed again with new examinations and opinions.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's hypertension was denied service connection as it did not manifest in service or within the one-year presumptive period, and there is no evidence of a nexus to service.,The Veteran's low back disability was denied an increased rating higher than 40 percent as his symptoms do not more nearly approximate unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine or the entire spine.,The Veteran's ulcerative colitis was granted an initial 30 percent rating, but no higher. The evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the symptoms have more nearly approximated moderately severe symptoms with frequent exacerbations.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 60 percent for service-connected lumbosacral intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) is denied. The maximum schedular rating for IVDS under Diagnostic Code 5243 is 60 percent, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy has been dismissed. The appeals for the T12 compression fracture with muscular low back pain and degenerative arthropathy of thoracic spine, as well as the TDIU claim, are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to provide an adequate statement of reasons and bases for finding that VA substantially complied with the January 2016 remand instructions, specifically regarding the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left calf intramuscular hemangioma, right knee disorder, and back disability have been denied. Service connection was granted for the left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatica) with an effective date of October 30, 2014.,A higher initial rating for the service-connected left lower extremity radiculopathy is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for her service-connected right shoulder and lumbosacral strain disabilities require additional development due to inadequate medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various spine and shoulder disorders due to incomplete or conclusory opinions in the previous VA examination.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has ordered a new VA examination to assess the severity of his condition.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbosacral spine disability is denied, and the TDIU issue is remanded.