Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are not related to his military service and that his congenital conditions were not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70% rating effective May 2, 2005. The Veteran's SMC based on aid and attendance was granted effective April 3, 2006.

The Board dismissed the appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent for transitional lumbosacral vertebra with facet arthropathy L5-S1 due to lack of jurisdiction. The left shoulder issue is remanded for further action.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings and TDIU prior to September 8, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, but the cases are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran’s claims of service connection for a right knee disability, seizure disorder, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, sleep apnea, TBI, headaches, seizure disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for left shoulder impingement, low back condition, left knee condition, dry eye syndrome, restrictive airway disease, and hiatal hernia should be remanded due to a lack of in-service complaints or treatment. The Veteran was not afforded an opportunity for a VA examination as his service records show complaints and treatments for each disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected lumbar spine, left knee, and right knee degenerative arthritis as well as atopic dermatitis prior to February 13, 2015, and on or after that date have all been denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his right shoulder, low back, and bilateral leg muscle pain disabilities are not shown to be related to active duty.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, low back disorder, and right knee disorder. The decision also includes a request for additional VA examinations to determine current diagnoses and associated impairment.

The Veteran's claim for sinusitis was denied as she does not have a current diagnosis of chronic sinusitis.,Her anemia has been evaluated at the non-compensable level since February 2010.

The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to TDIU due to conflicting evidence and a need for further examination. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are expected to impact her ability to work.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea with fatigue, headaches, a lower gastrointestinal disability (IBS), a neck disability (cervical spine arthritis), and a low back disability (lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and facet arthropathy of L5-S1).,Service connection was also granted for a left shoulder disability (degenerative joint disease) based on the Veteran's reports of in-service injuries.

The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings on several service-connected conditions have been dismissed. The appeal for service connection of a right bicep tear/injury has been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar degenerative disc disease was denied as the evidence did not show forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, nor unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine. The Board found that the Veteran’s symptomatology has been consistent throughout the period at issue.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disability and ischemic heart disease (IHD) due to incomplete evidence.,Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded three issues related to service connection for low back disorder, ACL tear, and stress fractures of the legs due to missing service treatment records and need for new VA examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70% rating from July 3, 2008 to February 18, 2015. The lumbar spine disability received a 20% rating from October 14, 2010 to March 21, 2017.

The Veteran's appeal for PTSD was dismissed. The claim for reopening and service connection for cervical spine disability is granted, with a 40% rating effective from February 4, 2011. Service connection for other conditions (numbness in both hands, numbness in left fingers, numbness in right fingers, carpal tunnel syndrome of bilateral wrists, migraine headaches) was denied. The claim for service connection for Scheuermann's Kyphosis of Dorsolumbar Spine is granted with an effective date from February 4, 2011.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low-back disorder, residuals of right-leg injury, and residuals of left-leg injury due to conflicting opinions on their etiology. A new VA examination is required.