Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for coccygeal strain, lumbar strain, left hip DJD status post stress fracture, and acne dermatillomania as secondary to service-connected obsessive compulsive disorder. Service connection was denied for left knee strain, right hip strain, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient verification of periods of active duty for training and a need for a VA examination to determine if the veteran's back disability is related to her service.

The application to reopen the claim for service connection for bulging discs, L3-S1 is granted. The Veteran's back disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence linking it to his in-service injury.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee and low back disabilities, finding that these conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right ankle and right knee disabilities. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for lumbar spine disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including degenerative disc disease at L4-5 and L5-S1 with bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, is now service-connected.,Effective September 25, 2017, the Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50%.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his low back, knee, shoulder, and hamstring disabilities due to lack of updated treatment records and need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his lumbar strain and reactive airway disease are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and the possible need for non-VA treatment records.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, hepatitis C, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) need to be remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for heart disease, hypertension, hip disabilities, low back disability, left eye disability, gastrointestinal disability, and prostate disorder are all denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or service connection.

The Veteran's lumbar strain is granted a 40% rating effective May 23, 2016. Other ratings are denied.

The Board has decided that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical evidence and conduct another VA examination to determine if the Veteran's cervical spine disorder, including degenerative disc disease, is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating issues related to the Veteran's lumbar and thoracic spine condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and Achilles tendinopathy. The AOJ is instructed to obtain VA treatment records from San Juan VAMC and Dr. P.I., and conduct additional development as needed.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status due to service-connected disabilities is remanded as the current examination report does not address whether he requires aid and attendance or is housebound.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and for effective dates earlier than December 7, 2011 for cervical spondylosis, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right shoulder arthritis.

The Board has remanded the claims of increased evaluations and service connection for various conditions, including degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy associated with DJD of the lumbar spine, left shoulder disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU were dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence and examination, including SSA records and a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability. The cases of bilateral hip disability and acquired psychiatric disability, as well as the TDIU claim are remanded due to need for additional development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and remanded both issues due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is also being asked to provide updated treatment records, undergo a VA examination regarding his psychiatric condition, and another VA examination regarding his lumbar strain.