Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for low back and right knee disorders, finding that the evidence supports a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, specifically related to flare-ups. The claim is now pending for further evaluation.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is granted a 20 percent evaluation, effective April 27, 2006.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is remanded due to insufficient evidence and need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran is granted initial ratings of 20 percent for his low back condition and 10 percent each for left and right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy. Further development is needed to determine if higher ratings are warranted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability and back disability due to insufficient rationale in previous VA examination opinions. The Veteran must be scheduled for new examinations to address his assertions of in-service pain.

The Board has determined that the VA opinions are inadequate and requires new opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back condition and right knee condition. The claims for service connection will be remanded.

The Veteran's left ankle disability and PTSD have been granted service connection. The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the neck, low back, and hypertension issues.,The Veteran’s claims for cervical spine, lumbar spine, and hypertension disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle disability is granted, and the initial rating for his low back disability prior to August 17, 2015 is denied. A 40 percent rating is granted for the low back disability effective from November 16, 2014.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD and/or depression) are related to service, but further medical opinions are needed to determine if these conditions are caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to incomplete medical records from VA St. Louis Healthcare System for 1970 to 1993, and additional development is needed.

The Veteran's service-connected disability does not meet the criteria for eligibility for a special home adaptation grant or assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing, and his claim for SMC at the aid and attendance or housebound rate is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine at L4-L5 and L5-S1 has not resulted in unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, so his claim for a higher disability rating is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions and need for additional evidence, including updated VA treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the evidence does not support a causal relationship between the Veteran's current lumbar degenerative disc disease and his active military service.,The Board remanded the issues of service connection for right hip disability and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an increased rating for low back strain prior to November 27, 2017. The Veteran's claim for TDIU was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to service and noting gaps in medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and COPD in February 2009. The RO also denied reopening these claims in September 2007. New evidence received since these decisions is not considered new and material, so the claims remain denied.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar and thoracic spine disabilities, finding that the current conditions are not related to service or service-connected disability.