Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, low back, and neck injuries due to a lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or a link between current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple claims for service connection, with the majority of issues being remanded due to incomplete records and need for further examination.,Service connection is sought for a variety of conditions including low back disability, right ankle/heel disability, nerve damage of the right foot, neck/cervical spine disability, neurologic impairment of upper/lower extremities, recurrent high fevers, chronic fatigue syndrome, cold intolerance, liver disability, jaundice, prostate disability, kidney disability, blood in urine, frequent urination, Parkinson's disease, spinal meningitis, and chronic headaches.

The claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disorder is granted. The claims for service connection of left and right knee disorders are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding private treatment records and the need for additional medical opinions regarding his back, hip, knee, and arthritis disabilities as well as his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a higher rating on an extraschedular basis, finding that the schedular ratings adequately reflect his symptoms and disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back condition and PTSD due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and a need for a new VA examination of the Veteran's back disability.

The Board has determined that a new examination is necessary due to the Veteran's complaints of intense pain and functional impairment. The issues on appeal are related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability, including its residuals.

Service connection was denied for DDD of the lumbosacral spine, and effective dates prior to January 30, 2014 were denied for service-connected limitations of extension, abduction, and flexion of the left hip, as well as bipolar I disorder with moderate mania.,Entitlement to increased ratings for service-connected conditions was remanded.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for pes planus, cervical spine disorder, and lumbar spine disorder. However, further development is needed as the VA examination reports do not provide sufficient information on the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that it is etiologically related to active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for obsessive compulsive disorder and low back pain are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development and examination to address her service-connected cervical spine, knee, and foot disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a total rating based on individual unemployability were denied. The Veteran was already receiving the highest possible evaluation for his thoracolumbar degenerative joint disease, and there is no indication of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes that would warrant higher ratings.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for low back disability, and service connection for bilateral knee conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's lumbar spondylosis was rated at 10 percent prior to September 4, 2009. The Board found the evidence did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and nephrolithiasis (kidney stones) as there was no evidence of current disabilities or that they were incurred in service.,There is no medical evidence showing the Veteran had any current conditions related to his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for sleep apnea secondary to major depressive disorder is granted. The claim for increased rating of lumbar disc degeneration and major depressive disorder remains pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to missing service treatment records and incomplete medical evidence. The Veteran's back disability is being reviewed for possible service connection.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen service connection for low back and left knee disabilities is granted. The appeals to reopen service connection for right great toe disability, left shoulder disability, left hand disability, neck disability, and hearing loss are also granted. However, the claims of service connection for these conditions remain remanded due to the need for additional examinations.