Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for thoracolumbar, cervical, and acquired psychiatric disorders as there was no evidence of a chronic disability in service or within one year after separation from active duty.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities were evaluated, with the cervical spine receiving a 10% rating and the lumbar spine also receiving a 10% rating. The appeals for higher ratings were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

Service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability, diagnosed as degenerative joint disease, is granted. Effective May 29, 2012, the Veteran also receives a 40 percent rating for fibromyalgia.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a failure to schedule VA examinations as requested in previous remands. The issues on appeal are related to bilateral knee condition, left shoulder condition, low back condition, and diaphragm injury.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and new evidence is needed to determine if the Veteran's current low back condition is related to service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD has been reopened. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for lumbosacral or cervical strain, right knee strain, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine condition, specifically her degenerative arthritis. The case will be reviewed after a VA clinician provides an opinion on the etiology of her lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disorder and ulcers due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for service-connected traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine due to insufficient evidence and the need for a new VA examination. The TDIU issue is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the rating issue.

The Board has remanded the claims for left lower extremity radiculopathy, low back disability, and right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with the service-connected low back disability due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's service connection for migraine headaches has been granted. The initial disability rating for her lumbar spine strain remains at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and a sleep disorder, to include sleep apnea. The claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's mid-back condition is not service-connected, but his headaches are service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service treatment records are incomplete and requests for these records have not been completed. The Veteran is also requested to provide any additional medical records from private providers, including Dr. Baldwin.

The Board found that the procedural requirements for reducing the Veteran's disability ratings were followed, and the reductions from 60%, 40%, and 40% to 20%, 10%, and 10% respectively are granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to outstanding treatment records and verification of claimed stressors. The Veteran is also scheduled for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his low back disability, BHL, tinnitus, and acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's low back disability, including spondylosis with diffuse bulging of the annulus and neural foraminal stenosis at L3-4 and L4-5, is found to be related to his military service as a corrections officer and military police officer. The claim for service connection has been reopened and granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability as there was no evidence showing it was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the appeal for a higher rating has been denied.,Her left lower extremity radiculopathy is also rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbar strain was denied, and his TDIU claim was also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent for the service-connected lumbar strain.