Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient consideration of his in-service injury and continuity of symptoms. The Board requires an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between his service-connected left knee disability and his low back disability.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a lumbar spine disorder was denied. The Veteran received an initial disability rating of 50 percent for her migraine headaches from May 19, 2008 to November 15, 2016 and a 10 percent rating for chronic maxillary sinusitis from May 19, 2008 to July 5, 2012. The claim for TDIU was remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance due to his service-connected low back disability was denied because the analgesic cream prescribed for his pain and the lumbosacral orthosis he wears do not meet the criteria for a clothing allowance.

The Veteran's claim to establish service connection for a low back disability is reopened, and the appeal is granted. Other claims are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder tendonitis and cervical spine degenerative disc disease and spondylosis, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, to include degenerative disc disease. The issue of entitlement to a disability rating greater than 20 percent for a lumbar spine disability is remanded for further development.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of July 29, 2008 for the grant of a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) based on the Veteran's cervical and lumbar disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease, and a new examination is required.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and left knee disability. The decision also denied an increased rating for tinnitus.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with underlying depression is rated at 70 percent, but no higher, effective September 13, 2005.,The Veteran is granted a TDIU due to service-connected anxiety disorder with underlying depression.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his active military service. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss, hammer toe, low back disability, foot and leg disabilities, and coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's depression is granted as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. Service connection for a low back disability and peripheral neuropathy involving the left lower extremity are denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine, left knee, and left ankle disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran will need new examinations to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches. The right knee, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), back disability, and neck disability claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, but denied reopening of his claims for service connection for bilateral foot disability and back disability. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder disorder, low back disorder, and bilateral lower extremity numbness as there was no credible evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's statements were found less persuasive than the other evidence of record.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disorder and residuals of a lumbar laminectomy, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence to support this claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lower back disability did not manifest within one year of service and is not related to an in-service injury or disease. As such, the claim for service connection is denied.

Service connection is granted for right knee strain, meniscal tear, and arthritis.,Service connection is granted for left knee strain, meniscal tear, and arthritis.,Service connection is granted for lumbosacral strain, disc herniation, and degenerative disc disease.,Service connection is granted for bilateral shoulder strain as secondary to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.,Service connection is granted for major depressive disorder as secondary to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.,Service connection is granted for generalized anxiety disorder as secondary to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for low back disability and COPD. However, the preponderance of the evidence is against finding a direct or presumptive link between these conditions and service.