Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbar spondylolisthesis with minimal L5 on S1 anterolisthesis is being remanded due to incomplete evidence and the need for further examination.

The Veteran's appeals for whether new and material has been received to reopen a claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for acromioclavicular separation with degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder, and entitlement to an initial compensable rating for eczema have all been dismissed. The appeals for the remaining issues are being remanded.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a back injury is being remanded due to the need for further medical examination and consideration. The VA examiner should assess whether his current back disorders are related to his military service, including any falls from telephone poles during training.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for low back and right hand conditions have been reopened, and the claim is granted. The issues of entitlement to service connection for other conditions are addressed further in the Remand section.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his physical limitations and mental impairments.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability has been reopened and is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for DMII, including as due to exposure to herbicides, is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability and remanded the issue of service connection for germ cell carcinoma. The case is now being returned to the RO for further action.

The Board denied the Veteran's applications to reopen her claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the left and right hips, and a TDIU. The appeals were not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected mental health and lumbar spine disabilities. From July 11, 2013, to February 20, 2014, the Veteran's depressive disorder was rated at 30 percent; from February 21, 2014, forward, it is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for DDD of the lumbar spine is granted, as there is at least equipoise evidence to support a finding that his current condition is related to in-service injuries.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for thoracolumbar spine disorder and right hip disorder due to claimed radiation exposure. A VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to in-service events or diseases.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection of a lumbar spine disorder and cervical spine disorder (upper back condition) due to new evidence received since the July 2009 rating decision. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's initial rating for headaches associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI) is granted at a 30 percent level. The issues of service connection for neck disability, low back injury, increased ratings for TBI residuals and headaches, special monthly compensation for erectile dysfunction, and an earlier effective date for tinnitus are all remanded due to the need for additional evidence or examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD was denied. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lower back disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back condition is granted, but the case is remanded due to need for additional examination and evidence.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for his back, left knee, and right knee disabilities have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for increased ratings based on limitation of motion or instability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for post-operative residuals of a lumbar laminectomy and discectomy from April 5, 2016 was denied as the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with status post lumbar laminectomy and discectomy from June 1, 2012 was also denied because the disability did not meet the criteria for moderately severe incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board denied service connection for low back disability, neurogenic bowel, and neurogenic bladder as the evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, right ankle tendonitis, left ankle tendonitis, and bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis due to potential inconsistencies in his medical records. The RO is instructed to obtain any missing treatment records from chiropractors and emergency departments where he sought treatment prior to 1992.