Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been denied. The VA has determined that the current evaluations of 10 percent are appropriate based on the evidence provided.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's neck and low back disabilities were not incurred in service, nor are they related to any incident of service.,Neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities was not shown to have had its onset during service or within a year thereafter. The Veteran did not seek treatment for these conditions until many years after service separation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a left wrist disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current degenerative joint disease to his active service. The Board also remanded the issue of secondary service connection for back disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and remanded it for further development. The appeal of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is also remanded due to lack of evidence on its secondary nature to service-connected chronic gastritis with GERD and Barrett’s esophagus.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and lumbar spine disability require the aid and attendance of another person for daily activities, including protection from hazards, dressing, undressing, keeping clean, and attending to personal needs. Special monthly compensation on account of need for aid and attendance is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left shoulder, elbow, lumbar spine, knee, and arch conditions. The new evidence obtained includes incomplete STRs and SSA records. A VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's appendicitis and related conditions are related to his military service, specifically exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The other issues remain pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of lumbosacral strain due to inadequate examination findings, inconsistencies in medical records regarding her left knee injury during service, and lack of military personnel records. The Veteran is also required to undergo a VA examination for both conditions.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 40 percent since February 25, 2016. His lumbar spine disability remains at a 40 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's obesity, which is related to his service-connected respiratory conditions (asthma, allergic rhinitis, and emphysema with inactive pulmonary tuberculosis), caused or aggravated his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability is found to have caused his stomach ulcers. Service connection for the stomach ulcer is granted, but a higher initial rating and a higher rating in excess of 40 percent from April 15, 2016 are denied.

Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted, and a rating of 60 percent for dyshidrotic eczema is granted effective from the date of the decision. Other service connection claims are denied.

The Board has found that the VA examination report is not adequate for adjudication purposes and additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's low back disorder was caused or aggravated by his service-connected left knee condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board granted the TDIU claim due to the combined effects of his disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic lumbar spine strain is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating based on the evidence of record.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: one regarding a higher rating for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and another for an initial higher rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. The Veteran's last VA examinations were in November 2014, and the Board finds that new examinations are needed due to possible increased symptomatology since then.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical strain is granted as secondary to his headaches, and he is now receiving compensation for thoracolumbar spine arthritis. The initial evaluations for both conditions are granted at 10 percent.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including bladder disability, psychiatric disorders (including PTSD and depression), sleep apnea, varicose veins, liver damage, erectile dysfunction, bicep disabilities, knee disabilities, ankle disabilities, low back disability, scar and numbness of the back, right wrist disability, missing tooth disability, eye disability (chronic conjunctivitis), bronchitis, and asthma. The Board found that these conditions are not related to service or do not meet the criteria for service connection.