Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities as well as low back disability due to lack of current evidence of a chronic condition related to active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination findings, need for a retrospective medical opinion, and need for updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not related to his military service and do not meet the criteria for a TDIU prior to January 2, 2013.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hand arthritis, acquired psychiatric disability (depression), cervical spine disability, low back disability, right hip disorder, and left foot drop as there is no current diagnosis related to these conditions.,There was no evidence of a current disability in any of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's back brace is granted a clothing allowance for calendar year 2015. The lidocaine and Retin-A cream are denied as they were not prescribed or used for skin conditions due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed to his death. A medical opinion is needed to determine if these conditions caused or contributed to his cause of death.

The Board has denied a higher rating for bilateral cavus foot deformity and remanded the issues of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the low back as secondary to bilateral cavus foot deformity, and TDIU. The case is being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD with Anxiety and remanded the issues of service connection for chloracne on face, chest, and back, as well as DDD of the thoracolumbar spine.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of medical services received at Kaiser Permanente in Roseville, California on August 30, 2014 was denied because the Sacramento VA Medical Center (VAMC) was deemed feasibly available to provide the treatment.,The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of transportation provided by the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District on August 30, 2014 was also denied due to the same reason.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and treatment records. The issues of higher initial ratings for chronic lumbar strain are referred to the AOJ.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including posttraumatic stress disorder and lumbar strain with sciatica, have prevented him from securing and maintaining gainful employment since April 12, 2011. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability effective as of that date.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and requested additional records from the Veteran's former employer.

The appeal for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury is dismissed. The Board has also remanded the cases regarding service connection for low back disability, upper back disability, and an initial rating higher than 10 percent for a psychiatric disability.

The reduction in disability rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability from 40 percent to 10 percent was not proper, and the 40 percent rating is restored. The claim of entitlement to an earlier effective date for service connection of left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with the service-connected lumbar spine disability remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a right hip disability, secondary to his service-connected right ankle sprain is denied as there is no evidence of current right hip disability.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for chronic right ankle sprain with degenerative joint disease (DJD) is also denied as the disability does not warrant more than 10 percent evaluation.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability and remanded it for further development. The decision on sleep apnea is also remanded, with additional requirements for an adequate opinion regarding its etiology.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset during active duty or within one year post-service. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical records and undergo an examination.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating and TDIU are remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess his current back disability.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for erectile dysfunction and low back condition due to new evidence not being considered in the previous decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder, lumbar spine disability, and hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).