Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's low back condition with IVDS is rated at 40 percent from June 26, 2013. The rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to the low back condition was also granted.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and associated arm radiculopathy were found to not warrant higher ratings, with the exception of a remanded issue regarding right knee service connection. The case was also remanded for individual unemployability determination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to insufficient evidence. The issues of service connection and TDIU remain pending.

The Veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine and related radiculopathies have been granted increased ratings, with some conditions receiving separate ratings.

The Board has remanded the cases due to additional evidence being added to the record. The Veteran is required to provide a waiver for this additional review.

The Board has remanded the claims for low back and right hip disorders due to a lack of adequate medical evidence from the March 2016 VA examination. The Veteran's service records indicate he had an in-service injury, but his statements about pre-existing symptoms are not considered reliable. A new VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is related to the medications prescribed for his service-connected disabilities, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of January 29, 2011 for the award of a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU). The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to this date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as a need for an examination to determine if his current symptoms are related to his time on active duty.

The Board has ordered the Veteran to provide VA treatment records from January 25, 2005 to August 4, 2017. The appeal is being remanded due to this missing information.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder (including schizophrenia), bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, traumatic brain injury with residuals, chronic myositis of the para-cervical and para-lumbar spine muscles, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, absence seizures, hypertensive cardiovascular disease, and diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's service records need to be verified, including any National Guard or Reserve service, and all updated treatment records should be obtained.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and that any current condition is not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for heart disease, an acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and PTSD), bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a right shoulder disorder, a neck disorder, a low back/lumbar spine disorder, dyslipidemia, and erectile dysfunction.,The Board found that there is no evidence of complaints or diagnoses related to the claimed conditions during service. The weight of the competent and probative evidence does not support finding that any current condition had its onset in or is otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's back disability was rated at 10 percent prior to April 16, 2012 and denied for a higher rating. After April 16, 2012, the disability was rated at 20 percent and also denied for a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder strain and lumbosacral sprain disabilities are being remanded for additional examinations to assess their current severity.

The appeal seeking service connection for a left knee condition is dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for muscle aches and joint pain, right knee disability, upper and lower back disability, respiratory disability (claimed as asthma), sleep disability (claimed as sleep apnea), heart disorder, headache disability, and irritable colon syndrome.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a back disability due to new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for clarification and additional evidence regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including an evaluation of its severity.