Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to a lack of recent medical examination and testing.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for left foot neuropathy, right foot neuropathy, a back disability, and a neck disability. The Veteran will be provided with VA examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for low back disability, left leg disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) due to inadequate development in previous examinations.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with lumbar stenosis and spondylolithesis, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right-sided sciatica was denied. The rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy and right-sided sciatica from May 9, 2012 to September 24, 2014 was granted at a 40 percent rating.

The Board denied payment of attorney fees from past-due benefits awarded for a TDIU, as the relevant notice of disagreement was filed before June 19, 2007.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, left and right shoulder disabilities, and thoracolumbar spine disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,Service connection is not granted for any of these conditions as the evidence does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and examinations.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and the Veteran did not meet the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD. The Board found that there was no evidence to support the Veteran’s claim for service connection, as his back disability is not related to his military service. For PTSD, the Board noted that the Veteran did not have any mental health issues or treatment records, leading to a denial of an increased rating.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative changes of the lumbar spine, right knee degenerative joint disease, right elbow degenerative joint disease, and left elbow degenerative joint disease are being remanded for further examination due to increased symptomatology.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and PTSD have been denied as there is no evidence of a link between his current conditions and his active duty service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and degenerative joint disease before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for lumbar spine strain with arthritis due to new and material evidence, but has remanded it for a VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic bilateral lower extremity lumbar spine radiculopathy is denied. The rating in excess of 20 percent prior to May 11, 2009, and in excess of 40 percent afterwards, for a lumbar spine disability is also denied.

The Veteran's appeal of claims for service connection for mild superimposed degenerative joint disease at the fact joints, herniated disc, lumbar laminectomy (claimed as lumbar condition due to surgery L4-S1), and a migraine condition is dismissed. The claims for entitlement to service connection for depressive disorder, schizophrenia, and a nervous condition are reopened.

The Veteran's combined rating for service-connected disabilities reached 100% effective July 31, 2012. The Board found that he was not entitled to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to April 3, 2009.,From April 3, 2009, the Veteran met the percentage requirements for a schedular TDIU but his application indicated he was enrolled in college courses and pursuing environmental technology.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is reopened and granted. The issue of service connection for herpes is remanded due to missing records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability, finding that his preexisting condition did not worsen during service and was not related to any in-service injury or event.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a lumbar spine disability, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, and right carpal tunnel syndrome have been granted.,Service connection has also been established for sleep apnea as secondary to depression, and high blood pressure is considered not related to service. Service connection for depression was found to be proximately due to service-connected wrist and shoulder disabilities.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for impingement syndrome with degenerative changes and rotator cuff tears in the right shoulder, left shoulder tendonitis and degenerative joint disease at the AC joint, residuals of fracture left distal radius with ankylosis, carpal tunnel syndrome in the left upper extremity, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) are all remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and initial evaluations for various foot, knee, shoulder, and skin conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.