Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee and back disabilities, as well as an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The issues include determining whether these conditions are related to service or secondary to a shortened right leg, and if so, whether they have been aggravated by that condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal as his substantive appeal was not timely filed in response to the December 3, 2014 statement of the case.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for lumbar spondylosis and degenerative changes of the right shoulder joint. The Board also ordered a remand for verification of the Veteran’s dates of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA). Additionally, the Board requested additional VA treatment records and scheduled the Veteran for a sinus examination to assess his claimed disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as well as his TDIU claim. The issues include bilateral hip disabilities and a lumbar spine disability. A new VA examination is required to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for a trachea disorder, increased ratings for various disabilities, and the issue of entitlement to TDIU. The effective dates for granting service connection are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability is etiologically related to his active service and has granted entitlement to service connection for a back disability.

The Board denied reopening the claims for service connection for chronic low back disability with degenerative disc disease (claimed as secondary to left leg disorder) and status post left rotator cuff repair with muscle atrophy due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lower spine with lumbosacral strain and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy have been rated at 10 percent, but no higher. The rating for the lower spine is denied as it does not meet criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, as he contends it is related to his residual cyst condition. The hypertension and residual cyst claims are denied.

The Board has remanded both claims of service connection due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the low back disability, and because a decision on one could significantly impact the other.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence and need further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical disc disease was reopened and granted. The claims for increased ratings for lumbar disc disease, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy were remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed. The Board also remanded the issue of his claim for a higher rating for lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD).

The Veteran's increased rating claims for various service-connected conditions were denied. A 20% rating was granted for bladder dysfunction.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is related to her active service and granted service connection for this condition. The cervical spine and right leg disabilities are remanded due to missing records.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination. The claim for PTSD has been reopened, but further evidence is needed to establish its etiology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability, finding that there is no evidence of a current diagnosed condition and concluding that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed low back disability.

The Veteran's lumbar strain disability is rated at 20% prior to February 5, 2015 and at 40% thereafter. The appeal for increased ratings remains pending.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder) is remanded.