Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's back disability is caused or aggravated by his service-connected pes planus and bilateral ankle disabilities. The Veteran was noted to limp in 2008, 2009, and 2010, and a private podiatrist report indicated that his gait strain may have contributed to his back disability.

The Board has restored the ratings for lumbosacral strain and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, but has remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and conduct further examinations.

The Veteran's low back strain is currently rated at 40 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as her symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a 50 percent disability rating due to unfavorable ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee disability. Service connections for lower back condition, bilateral foot condition, and pulmonary hypertension are remanded.

Service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease has been granted. The Board also remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions secondary to thyroid cancer.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, but denied the claim as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spine disability, and low back disability. The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for sleep apnea, respiratory disability, back disability, fungal infection of the bilateral feet, and acquired psychiatric disability due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected right shoulder strain with degenerative arthritis and lumbar degenerative disc disease are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of recent evidence.

The Board denied service connection for low back strain and cervical spondylosis, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and the appellant's military service.

Degenerative disc disease of the lumber spine, allergic rhinitis, and restless leg syndrome (left and right lower extremities) to include radiculopathy have been granted service connection. Kidney reflux disease and urinary tract infection have not been granted service connection.,Bipolar disorder has been granted service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic low back strain is granted an evaluation of 40 percent, effective May 16, 2014. The right ankle disability with degenerative arthritis is granted a 30 percent evaluation beginning April 26, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of recurrent lumbar strain, residuals of right knee surgery, and recurrent synovitis of the left ankle have been remanded.,Issues related to PTSD, TDIU, service connection for lumbar strain, right knee surgery, and recurrent synovitis of the left ankle are also being remanded.

The appeal for service connection of a back disability is granted. The reduction in the PTSD evaluation from 50% to 30% is upheld.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right foot disability, left foot disability, lumbar spine disability, liver disability (hepatitis B and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis), memory loss, headaches, left eye disability (cataracts and glaucoma), high cholesterol, right knee disability, and left knee disability (arthritis).

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate spine examinations and a need for new examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depression, neck, back, ankle, and foot conditions, made it impossible for him to engage in substantially gainful employment. As a result, the Board granted a TDIU on an accrued basis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right thumb and little finger trauma residuals, lumbar spine disorder, left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, and bowel disorder with constipation. The case requires further examination to determine the etiology of these disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder condition and a low back condition, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.