Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to outstanding VA and private medical records, which are necessary for a proper assessment of the Veteran's low back disability. The remand also includes requesting an addendum opinion from the February 2018 VA examiner.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted as secondary to her service-connected lumbar spine and right foot disabilities. The claims for initial ratings on the lumbar spine and right foot disabilities, and for headaches are remanded. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and has determined that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability was incurred in service. Service connection is therefore granted.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a right arm condition, including tendonitis, has been denied.,Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran’s PTSD exacerbates her irritable bowel syndrome.,A rating of 20 percent, and no higher, is granted for right shoulder tendonitis and impingement syndrome.,A rating of 20 percent, and no higher, is granted for cervical spine strain.,The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition (abnormal kyphosis), hemorrhoids, chronic anxiety-induced indigestion, increased urinary frequency, and anxiety disorder.,,,,

The claim for service connection of a low back disorder is reopened, but the case is remanded as new evidence does not establish that the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and depression are all granted service connection.,Service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, arthritis of the right hand, arthritis of the left hand, fibromyalgia, cervical spine disability, thoracic spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, hypothyroidism, and a sleep-related disability (including obstructive sleep apnea) are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral eye disability, bilateral ear disability, and increased ratings for DJD of the lumbar spine with IVDS and radiculopathy of the lower extremities associated with DJD and IVDS. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded three issues: service connection for low back and left knee disabilities secondary to service-connected right ankle, left ankle, and right knee degenerative joint disease; an increased rating for the Veteran's right ankle disability; and entitlement to TDIU. The remand requests a new VA examination and medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's antalgic gait and its relationship to his low back and left knee disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, granted secondary service connection for dizziness and insomnia, and denied service connection for TBI. The effective date of the grant of service connection for prostate cancer was set at March 15, 2017.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for low back strain due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's appeal of his anxiety claim was dismissed. His claim for a low back disability is granted.

The claims for service connection for low back, bilateral hip, and bilateral foot disabilities are reopened. However, the Veteran's conditions are not found to be related to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities or due to any other service-related factors.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease with spinal stenosis is rated at 40 percent from April 19, 2012 to May 29, 2013. The depressive disorder not otherwise specified has not been rated higher.

The Board denied service connection for a lower back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the current disabilities and military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the cause and aggravation of his condition during reserve training.

The Veteran's service-connected left ankle arthritis, right ankle arthritis, and chronic lumbar strain are being remanded for additional examinations to assess their current severity.

The appeal to reopen the claim for service connection for Meniere's disease is granted. The Veteran's low back disorder claim is remanded due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, hernia secondary to lumbar spondylolisthesis L5-S1 with spondylolysis, increased disability rating for lumbar spondylolisthesis L5-S1 with spondylolysis, and TDIU due to incomplete development of the claims.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of right knee and back conditions due to the death of the appellant.

The Board denied the reopening of a claim for service connection for a back disorder due to lack of new and material evidence, as no current back disorder was found related to military service.