Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than February 17, 2005, for the award of a 10 percent rating for service-connected arthritis of the lumbar spine is denied. The issues of increased ratings for bilateral knee disabilities are remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for back, neck, left hip, right hip, sleep disorder, and anxiety and depression disabilities as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability was denied as no new and material evidence had been submitted.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is granted, with the condition being related to military service.,Service connection for rheumatoid arthritis is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service.,Service connection for a low back disability is denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.,Service connection for a right shoulder disability is denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.,Service connection for a skin disability is denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.,Service connection for liver disease is denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.,Service connection for sleep apnea is denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating of 50 percent for migraine headaches is granted. The claims for service connection for sarcoidosis and psychiatric disorders (including schizophrenia and PTSD) are reopened, but the service connection for low back disorder, left hip disorder, and right hip disorder is denied.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disability and a back disability, finding that the current diagnoses are not related to active service or service-connected conditions.,Service connection was also denied for other disabilities including hypertension, heart disorder, psychiatric disorders, insomnia, migraine headaches, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, but his bilateral hearing loss and respiratory condition are denied.,His low back condition remains in dispute due to the need for further evidence and examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence, as no evidence was provided linking his current condition to his time in service.

The Board denied increased disability ratings for the Veteran's service-connected low back strain and radiculopathy of both lower extremities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective July 1, 2014. All other claims on appeal are dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals for these issues in statements made at his September 2018 Board hearing.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for low back pain with spondylolisthesis has been reopened, but the case is remanded due to a need for further examination and opinion regarding her current conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and associated radiculopathies require further review, including a remand for additional examination and rating determinations.

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

The Veteran's service-connected DJD of the lumbar spine is rated at 20 percent, which is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and radiculopathy of the upper extremities have not met the criteria for higher ratings, with some issues remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance was granted effective January 2, 2017. The Board denied an earlier effective date due to lack of formal or informal claims prior to March 24, 2015.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right shoulder DJD and lumbar spine disorder due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a hernia disorder has been denied as there is no evidence linking the current condition to his active duty service.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) remains denied, as it does not meet the criteria for a 30% rating under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a back disorder, an eye disorder, obstructive sleep apnea and other sleep problems, acid reflux, skin disorders, headache disorder, peripheral neuropathy, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for additional development.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for diabetes due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The back disorder claim is remanded as it was not fully adjudicated.

The claims for service connection of right hand condition, bilateral hearing loss, PTSD and low back condition have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal. The claim for service connection of low back condition is remanded.