Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder condition, low back condition, tinnitus, and migraines (chronic headaches with prostrating attacks).,There is no evidence of any current disabilities related to the Veteran's claimed conditions that began during his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a lumbar disorder and bilateral foot disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board dismissed the appeals seeking service connection for chronic lower back pain, DDD, multiple lung nodules, and hypertension as the Veteran withdrew his claims prior to a decision.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability due to new and material evidence. The claims for service connection for sleep apnea and status post left rib fracture are remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations.

The Board has remanded two issues related to degenerative disc disease and intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine, including left lower extremity radiculopathy. The claims are being returned for further review with consideration of recent medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and evaluation of the Veteran's fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, back disability, and bladder disability due to evidence indicating worsening since previous examinations.

The Board finds that the VA examiner's opinion is inadequate because it did not address whether the Veteran’s arthritis with lumbar spondylolisthesis is related to service or his service-connected lumbar strain. The case is therefore remanded for a new medical opinion.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia is granted service connection as a presumptive condition due to his service in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations during the Persian Gulf War. The Board also found that he has a separate and distinct back disability (DDD and DJD) related to his military service, but remanded for further examination. Service connection for sleep apnea was granted based on presumed exposure, and remanded for additional evidence. Migraine headaches were not rated initially as compensable.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for low back strain due to inadequate examination findings. The case is sent back for further development, including another VA examination.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, and gastrointestinal disability are all remanded for further development. The sinusitis and gastrointestinal issues have been remanded as well.

The Board has granted service connection for sacroiliitis and a rating of 20 percent for lumbar disc degeneration with status post compression fracture from March 16, 2015 to November 20, 2015. The Veteran's intervertebral disc syndrome is not rated higher than the current 20 percent due to lack of evidence showing forward flexion less than 30 degrees or unfavorable ankylosis.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service. The Board also denied service connection for hypertension, concluding there was no evidence of onset or relationship with service including presumed exposure to herbicide agents.,Service connection for hypertension was denied as there was no evidence showing initial manifestations within a year of separation from service and the Veteran's hypertension was diagnosed after discharge.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause and aggravation of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea by his service-connected PTSD and lumbar spine disability. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical records, including those from private treatment providers who have linked his sleep apnea to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine and bilateral foot disabilities, as well as the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities. The AOJ is required to obtain outstanding private treatment records and schedule the Veteran for VA examinations.

The Board denied reopening and service connection for skin disorders, acquired psychiatric disorders, and low back disabilities due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar strain, right ear hearing loss, PTSD, and bilateral hip disability as new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Veteran's low back disability, sciatica of the bilateral lower extremities, and depression are all granted as service-connected.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a bilateral hip disorder, but has remanded the case for further development regarding the nature and etiology of this condition. The case is also remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and any psychiatric disorder that may be related to it.

The Veteran's cervical degenerative disc disease with postoperative residuals is not rated higher than 20 percent, and his total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disorders is denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for inguinal hernia. The claims for back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, myeloma, peripheral neuropathy (left upper extremity), peripheral neuropathy (left lower extremity), radiculopathy (right lower extremity), and an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder) are remanded.