Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine strain disability is sufficient to render her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower and middle back condition was denied due to lack of medical evidence linking the current condition to his military service. The Board found no new and material evidence submitted since the April 2015 denial, thus denying the reopening of this claim. The claims for increased ratings for bilateral knee disabilities and foot disabilities are remanded as additional examinations are needed.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and the request for additional private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and requests for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his low back disability was granted, and the Board found that agent fees in excess of $97.60 are not warranted due to a lack of timely notice of disagreement on the issue.

The Veteran's low back strain and lumbar spasms, respiratory disease (manifested by dyspnea on exertion), and obstructive sleep apnea are all granted as service-connected.,Regarding the application to reopen a previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD), including an adjustment disorder, this matter is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate examination in January 2015, which was internally inconsistent and did not adequately describe the Veteran's medical history. The examiner also failed to consider the Veteran’s prior medical history regarding flare-ups.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effect date for SMC based on aid and attendance, higher rating for SMC, entitlement to specially adapted housing or special home adaptation grant, and the timeliness of his substantive appeal for February 10, 2012 Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, thoracolumbar spine disability, skin disability, tinnitus, and head injury was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of lumbar spine, left hip, bilateral knee and left ankle disabilities. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and rating determinations due to inadequate examinations in previous decisions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability and a back disability, but has remanded them for further development.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has found that a higher rating is not warranted. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's back condition is granted as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.,His initial compensable rating for right knee scars was denied, and the claim is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is related to service, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, type II diabetes mellitus, heart disorder, lung disorder, cysts of the throat and right parotid gland, skin cancer of the forehead, loss of vision, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, erectile dysfunction, bilateral foot swelling, and bilateral hand disorder. The claims were denied as new and material evidence had not been received to reopen these claims.

Your claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and complete a VA Form 21-4142 for names of physicians who treated you.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied. The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD and thus, the first requirement for service connection was not met. For his lumbar spine disability, the Veteran received an initial rating of 40 percent prior to March 12, 2018, under the old criteria, which is now rated as 20 percent disabling under the new General Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine (DC 5243). The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for lower extremity radiculopathy and residuals of a fracture of the right tibia and fibula were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has determined that he is unemployable due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations of his right ring middle finger fracture and surgical reduction of hypertrophied turbinates, as well as his claims for service connection for gastroenteritis, a right-hand condition associated with a right ring middle finger fracture, and a back condition. The appeal for service connection for sleep apnea was remanded.