Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for chronic lumbosacral strain should be remanded due to new evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has granted an effective date of August 19, 2010 for the grant of service connection for low back disability and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (femoral nerve) and sciatic nerve. The Veteran's claim was denied in October 2010 but reconsidered due to newly received service medical records.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the evaluation of service connection for the Veteran's low back condition. The claim is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the current symptoms, level of severity, and functional impairment associated with his lower back condition and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for cervical and lumbosacral strains are inadequate, and additional examinations are needed. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded due to outstanding records and potential consideration of other applicable Codes.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, sinus disability, and right thumb disability. The Veteran's current conditions are found to be related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, bilateral upper and lower extremity disorder, and hepatitis C. Service connection is denied for a back disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of an examination, and requests that he provide information on his treatment providers. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of left knee, back, and neck disabilities have been denied. The Board has remanded the cases to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability and granted it. The other issues on appeal remain denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and OSA have been reopened, but the claims for back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension remain denied.,Service connection has been granted for depressive disorder as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's petition to reopen a claim for service connection for a lower back disability is granted. The underlying claim of entitlement to service connection for a lower back disability is remanded due to new and material evidence submitted.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for PTSD, heart condition, respiratory condition, bronchitis, lower back condition, and sleep disorder due to lack of evidence regarding the Veteran's dates of service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbosacral degenerative disc disease with spondylosis and left lower extremity neuropathy, as well as his claim for a total disability evaluation due to individual unemployability. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to assess the severity of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, finding that it is not related to the Veteran's active service or his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has not yet decided whether these conditions are related to his military service. The appeals for back and neck disabilities remain pending as they need further examination.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating for a lumbosacral spine disability. The Board denied an increased rating as there was no evidence of incapacitating episodes or additional loss of function due to pain.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the minimum schedular rating for mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve. The Board denied an increased rating based on the examiner's characterization of the condition as mild and lack of more severe symptoms.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the minimum schedular rating for mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve. The Board denied an increased rating based on the examiner's characterization of the condition as mild and lack of more severe symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to May 30, 2015, for his back disability is denied.

The Veteran's left and right wrist symptoms are attributed to his service-connected fibromyalgia. The Board finds that the weight of evidence is against the Veteran’s claim for a separate diagnosis of a left and right wrist disorder other than fibromyalgia.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and consideration, including service connection claims for various conditions such as hearing loss, tinnitus, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, cellulitis, PTSD, and a fractured right mandible. The effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus remains April 3, 2013.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disability, but denied the individual claims for carpal tunnel syndrome and back condition.