Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board's decision on the Veteran's lumbar spine disability claim is vacated due to lack of awareness by both the Appellant and her representative. The case is remanded for further development, including submission of additional evidence.

The Board has remanded five service connection claims due to inadequate scheduling of a VA examination for the Veteran's low back disorder. The other four issues are also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, and erectile dysfunction. The claims are being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's low back disorder is service connected as lumbosacral degenerative arthritis, which has been attributed to his current diagnosis and in-service treatment for back pain.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board has decided that the issue of TDIU should be remanded due to a grant of TDIU in March 2016, effective from February 26, 2013.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability and denied service connection for left collarbone, right collarbone (clavicle), right knee, lower back, and right ankle disabilities. The head injury claim is also denied.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is currently rated at 20 percent, effective October 8, 2013. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's low back disability was granted service connection, and his cervical spine and bilateral knee disabilities were denied. The sleep apnea was also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability is rated at 60 percent since June 1998, and a combined rating of 70 percent is granted for the period from January 27, 2015 through December 28, 2016. The TDIU determination is effective as of June 16, 2009.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back and hip disability, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and lumbosacral strain, but denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for lumbosacral strain. The claim of service connection for PTSD was reopened due to new evidence showing a diagnosis of PTSD related to a stressor in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial increased rating and earlier effective dates due to the inextricability of these issues with his claim for a lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection, increased rating, and TDIU due to incomplete information and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, peripheral neuropathy and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are all being remanded for further review due to recent developments in his case.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and lack of evidence from a separation exam. The cases will be reviewed with new examinations.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred during service and is not considered related to his Southwest Asia service. The eye disabilities, including cataracts, dry eye condition, blurry vision, familial drusen, and vision impairment, were not shown during service or within one year of discharge.,The right knee disability was not shown during service or within one year after service. The low back disability was not shown during service or within one year after service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder is denied. The Veteran's migraines are granted as related to service. The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and sinus tachycardia (heart rate) do not meet the criteria for initial compensable ratings. The Veteran's right knee disorder is remanded for further development.

Service connection is granted for right ankle/heel inversion, left ear perforation (previously claimed as right ear perforation), chronic bronchitis, and left wrist and thumb scars. A TDIU is also granted.,Bladder disability and seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp are remanded due to insufficient rationale provided in the February 2018 DBQ.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is not service-connected as it is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.,His lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is service-connected as it is proximately due to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, while the depression with social phobia is rated at 70 percent. A TDIU was granted from February 26, 2013 to June 29, 2015.