Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for bilateral shoulder DJD with right shoulder rotator cuff tear and left knee arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service.,The claim for lumbosacral spine status post laminectomy for herniated nucleus pulposus was also denied as there was no new and material evidence to reopen it.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 60 percent, but the Board finds no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis and denies a higher rating.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and lower extremity neuropathy disabilities are being remanded for further review due to the need for additional evidence or examination.

The Board has granted a 10 percent initial rating for hypertension, but the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for headaches, degenerative disc disease and arthritis of the lumbar spine, and left sciatic nerve radiculopathy are remanded due to lack of updated medical records and inadequate examination reports.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has ordered a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbar spinal stenosis, L3-L4, with displacement and degenerative arthritis is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and updated medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right shoulder and lumbar spine disabilities due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of his back condition is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the previous VA examination. A new examination must be conducted by an examiner who has not previously examined him.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinion from a VA examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lower back disability. The Veteran is asked to provide any private medical records and undergo an additional VA examination.

The Veteran's back disability, major depression, anxiety disorder, and sleep disorders are not service-connected. Osteoarthritis is also not service-connected. Bursitis is unclear if it existed during the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD was withdrawn. His right ankle condition is granted as service-connected, but the lumbosacral spine DDD with mild disc bulge at L4-L5 and L5 S1 does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a low back disability was denied as his current diagnoses are not related to his period of active service.,The Veteran's right shoulder reconstruction surgery rating was also denied, with the RO granting him a 20 percent rating throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to work.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left hip disability is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected left knee disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's current low back and neck disorders are related to his service. The appeal will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for impacted wisdom teeth, residuals of pneumonia, low back disability, and cause of death (dementia) have been denied. The Board has remanded these issues due to the need for additional development.,Survivor pension benefits and burial benefits were also not granted in this decision.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for increased ratings for his back disability, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the issues of joint pain, low back disorder, and PTSD has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the issue of joint pain. The Board also denied service connection for low back disorder and PTSD as there was no current diagnosis or evidence linking these conditions to active service.