Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset and etiology.

The Board has denied service connection for a left shoulder disorder, thoracolumbar spine disorder, and left knee disorder. The claim for vertigo is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 30 percent since December 30, 2004. The Board has determined that a higher rating is warranted.,The effective date for the total disability rating based on individual unemployability was revised to March 11, 2015 from June 2, 2010.,The effective date for Dependents’ Educational Assistance benefits remains prior to March 11, 2015.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is rated at 100% effective August 6, 2018. The lumbar spasm and degenerative arthritis are rated at 40%. These ratings remain pending further action.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed lumbar facet arthropathy, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his in-service period and the condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, but denied the claim as there is no new and material evidence to support it.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for low back pain, left knee condition, right knee condition, left ankle condition, and right ankle condition due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran's statements and private treatment records indicate she had injuries in service, but the VA examinations did not consider these factors or provide a rationale for their conclusions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, low back disability, and COPD (including as a result of exposure to herbicide agents) have been granted. The claim for service connection for asthma has been denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to the need for VA examinations and additional records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to outstanding private medical records and a need for a supplemental VA opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability.

The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for right shoulder DJD, service connection for left shoulder disorder and low back disorder have all been denied.

The Board has decided to remand the claims due to insufficient private medical records, which may contain relevant information for the Veteran's claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back disorder and headaches due to Gulf War exposure. The Veteran's service treatment records do not show complaints of headaches, but he is competent to report experiencing them since service. For the low back, there was an injury during service. An addendum opinion is needed from the VA examiner who previously evaluated these claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee patellofemoral syndrome and lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes are being remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with the August 2017 Board remand directives.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since November 26, 2016. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, but these claims are still being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests to reopen his claims for service connection for various conditions, including a right-hand disorder, spinal cord injury, skin condition, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence submitted since the July 2009 decision was deemed not new or material.

The Veteran's lumbar strain, left and right knee disabilities are remanded for further evaluation due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder due to lack of evidence establishing a relationship between his active military service and the condition. The appeal was not reopened as new evidence submitted since the last final denial did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various eye conditions, hearing loss disability, and tinnitus. The back disability claim is also remanded.