Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for special home adaptation grant, financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or conveyance, and assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing have been denied due to the absence of a service-connected disability that meets the eligibility criteria.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of Meniere's syndrome and granted it. Service connection was denied for low back disorder.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with arthritis is denied as there is no evidence linking his current condition to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional records and clarification regarding previous annual VA clothing allowance determinations, model number of the low back brace issued in 2012, and clinical documentation confirming its issuance. The case will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for a back disability was denied as new and material evidence did not relate the current condition to his military service.,The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for a right knee scar was denied as no evidence showed an injury in service or related it to his current condition.

The Board denied service connection for cervical strain, left shoulder strain, left trapezius strain, degenerative disc disease (DDD), lumbar spine, generalized pain disorder, hypertension, hypertensive heart disease, gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), acute sinusitis, and migraine headaches as the evidence did not support a nexus to service.,The Board found that there was no medical evidence showing a direct link between any of these conditions and military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions and development of records. The issues include service connection for a left knee disorder secondary to bilateral ankle disorders, as well as initial ratings for lumbar strain with retrolisthesis, left and right ankle strains.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and bilateral eye disorder due to incomplete medical records and lack of VA examination. The Veteran will need to undergo further examinations and obtain additional treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder as the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since June 18, 2004. He is also granted a TDIU effective from the same date.,The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD symptoms have caused severe functional impairment and are manifested by social isolation, irritability, depression, and suicidal/homicidal ideation.

The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for lumbar spine disorder is granted.,The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for asbestosis is denied. The matter of sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for residuals of a fracture of the 5th lumbar vertebra was denied as her symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for traumatic arthritis of the right hip and sacroiliac joint was denied because there is no evidence showing limitation of motion to less than 20 degrees in flexion.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected lumbar strain and left knee tendonitis are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbosacral strain, right sciatic nerve, and TDIU due to incomplete examination reports and issues related to flare-ups. A new VA examination is needed.

The Veteran's low back condition and right fractured talus and ankle injury are being remanded for further examination to determine if they are related to service.,The Veteran's right fractured talus and ankle injury is being remanded due to the need for an opinion on whether it was aggravated by service. The issue of urinary incontinence will also be remanded as there is no current evidence of a disability for VA purposes.,Service connection for urinary incontinence is granted.

The Board has denied service connection for a back disability and remanded the issue of increased rating for Bell's palsy.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, lower back disability, and pseudofolliculitis barbae due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is rated at 40 percent effective October 5, 2015. The Board also granted compensable disability evaluations for his sciatic nerve radiculopathy in both legs.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the RO increased his rating for lumbosacral strain to 40 percent effective March 26, 2012. The Veteran was also granted separate ratings for bladder dysfunction, bowel dysfunction, radiculopathy of both lower extremities, and vertigo. His claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder is remanded, and his TDIU claim is denied.