Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a thoracolumbar spine disorder, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed low back disorder, head injury residuals, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disorder and special monthly compensation (SMC) based upon aid and attendance (A&A). The rating for the low back disorder remains at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their relationship to service.

The Board has determined that the reduction in disability rating for lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome was improper and has restored the 20 percent disability rating, effective January 1, 2015. The Veteran's PTSD claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence of stressor verification. His TDIU issue is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the issues being addressed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD, low back, double vision, disease of the nose, and migraine disorders due to failure to complete VA examinations. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the PTSD claim.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for a lumbar spine disorder, including degenerative disc disease (DDD), due to incomplete records. The Veteran's Social Security Administration disability benefits may provide important information about her condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and bilateral hearing loss due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records from his separation in 1976 and employment physicals.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issues of service connection for foot, neck, back disabilities, and a TDIU. The Veteran's claim for PTSD is also remanded.

Service connection for degenerative disc disease L5-S1 with spondylolysis is granted as aggravated during a period of ACDUTRA from July 14, 1975 to July 18, 1975. The right knee strain evaluation remains remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hand strain, thoracolumbar strain, bilateral knee strain, and migraine headaches due to incomplete medical records and unclear diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining relevant VA and private treatment records.

The Veteran's initial rating for bilateral tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular rating has already been assigned. The claims for increased ratings of lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded due to new evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, osteopenia, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, cognitive disorder, and/or depression) due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims related to the Veteran's low back condition and chronic pain of the lower extremities.,Service connection is not granted for glaucoma and torn inferior oblique (claimed as impaired vision), due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and low back disability have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The Board will consider whether these conditions are related to service based on new evidence provided by the Veteran.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral ankle, left knee, and right knee disabilities. The case is remanded to obtain a new VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's neck disability, finding that there is no medical evidence linking his current cervical spine conditions to an in-service motor vehicle accident injury. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a link between the Veteran's current disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar spine disability is denied. The evidence does not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less, or favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with depressive disorder is denied. The medical evidence does not support the presence of occupational and social impairment as contemplated by the 70% rating criteria.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional disabilities involving the bilateral leg (phlebitis), lumbar spine, and gastrointestinal system due to treatment by VA was denied in an April 2009 rating decision because there was no evidence that the April 2004 procedure caused his disabilities. The claim is now being denied again as new and material evidence has not been presented.