Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, as there are potential unverified periods of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) and inadequacy in previous opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have worsened, and additional evidence is needed to determine if he requires aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining retrospective opinions on the severity of the Veteran's left knee disability and an examination to assess whether his cervical spine disability is caused or aggravated by his service-connected orthopedic disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and right hip condition, as secondary to his left knee condition due to insufficient medical opinions in prior examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability of degenerative disc disease (DDD) and right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the now service-connected back disability. The appeal is dismissed for the neck disability, hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and arthritis was granted, subject to controlling regulations governing the payment of monetary awards. The symptoms of the Veteran’s service-connected lumbar spine disability most closely approximate forward flexion to 30 degrees or less.

The Veteran's back disability is granted service connection, but the issues of sciatica in both lower extremities are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, but the specific ratings and effective dates are not provided in this decision.

The Board has granted the Veteran's applications to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for generalized arthritis, low back disorder, and myalgia. Service connection is now granted for rheumatoid arthritis. The remaining issues of service connection are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for cervical strain with disc disease and traumatic arthritis, as well as claims for service connection for various conditions, were denied. The Veteran was also denied a temporary total evaluation for his right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his service-connected low back disability with bilateral sacroiliac joint disease is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of additional evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back, left knee, and right knee disabilities. The effective date is not specified as it was previously denied in a final decision.

The Board denied service connection for neck disability, low back disability, and bilateral knee disability. Service connection was granted for tinnitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding insufficient evidence to support a relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for various disabilities, including shoulder, elbow, spine, and ankle issues, as well as gastrointestinal and migraine headaches, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to ensure that all relevant medical records are obtained and for examinations to assess the current severity of the Veteran's knee and spine disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a 20% evaluation prior to December 29, 2008 and a 40% evaluation from June 1, 2009, to February 17, 2010, and from February 18, 2010, to April 28, 2016. The claim for an increased rating since April 29, 2016 is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for chronic low back pain due to inadequate consideration of his reported history and lack of corroborating evidence. The case is returned to the RO for further development, including obtaining service records related to a possible medical discharge procedure and scheduling an examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current low back disability.

The Board has denied service connection for a low back disorder and remanded the issue of a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination regarding the Veteran's low back strain, and a need for further evaluation.