Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral knee osteoarthritis, low back/lumbar condition, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy were denied. The denial was based on the lack of evidence showing that his conditions were aggravated by military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed low back and leg conditions. The claims will be reconsidered after obtaining additional information from the Veteran and providing further examination.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine as there was no evidence of an in-service injury and the Veteran did not show continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the cases of cervical and thoracolumbar spine disorders due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's service records indicate back pain in service, but VA treatment records are inactive after three years post-service.

The Board has granted an effective date of November 16, 2005 for the award of service connection for a back disorder. The Veteran's claim was not previously denied and he filed an informal claim on that date.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for numbness of the left hand and right upper extremity disability have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded his claim for service connection for mid-back pain.

The Board has determined that more contemporaneous examinations are needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder and back disabilities due to outdated examination reports. The case is being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating and TDIU have been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection of right knee disorder, back disorder, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and skin disorder are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their onset in service or causation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate examinations and failure to address additional functional loss during flare-ups.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's thoracic and lumbosacral strain began during his military service, resolving any doubt in favor of the Veteran. As a result, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate VA examinations and incomplete evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hip, back, and right knee disabilities due to insufficient examination findings and lack of consideration of the Veteran's lay statements.

The Board has determined that the VA examiner's opinion is inadequate and requires further examination to determine if the Veteran's back condition began during service or is related to an incident of service.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed disabilities, including left ankle disability, right ankle disability, low back disability, bilateral hip disability, and bilateral knee disability, as the evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is remanded due to incomplete examination and need for updated medical records.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for service-connected lumbosacral spinal facet arthropathy and degenerative changes is remanded due to the need for clarification of the VA examiner's report regarding episodes requiring bed rest, as well as additional functional loss during flare-ups. The Veteran also needs a new examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for service-connected lumbosacral spinal facet arthropathy and degenerative changes is remanded due to the need for clarification of the VA examiner's report regarding episodes requiring bed rest, as well as additional functional loss during flare-ups. The Veteran also needs a new examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for low back disability and sleep disorder, as well as rating claims for traumatic arthritis of the right and left knees, neck injury with spondylosis and DJD, and left great toe amputation. Additional evidence is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service-connected disabilities or if they were aggravated by them.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that it is related to his in-service injuries. The decision also remanded the issues of service connection for left and right knee disabilities.