Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's lumbar condition and its relation to his military service. The Veteran needs to provide more information about a 1977 injury at Fort Riley, and any relevant medical records should be obtained.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is linked to his current lumbar spine disability.,The RO has restored a 20% rating for the Veteran’s cervical spine disability and assigned a 30% rating effective January 30, 2018.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is related to her combat service in Iraq. Service connection for the psychiatric disorder is granted. The low back disability, bilateral hip strain, right and left knee disabilities, and right foot disability are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings for his right shoulder postoperative SLAP tear and biceps tear, as well as his lumbar degenerative disc disease, post-operative condition were denied. The Board found that the disability did not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeals seeking compensable ratings for various conditions have been dismissed. The right ankle disorder claim was denied as new and material evidence has not been received.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for low back disorder, bilateral knee disability, and asthma. However, these claims have been denied as there is no evidence to support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain, tinnitus, and headaches are all related to her service. The left knee condition and gastrointestinal condition other than GERD have not been established as being related to her service.,Further examination is needed for the left knee condition and a determination on the gastrointestinal condition other than GERD.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative spine disability is rated at 40 percent, and his IVDS affecting the right lower extremity prior to February 23, 2016 is rated at 20 percent. The rating for IVDS affecting the left lower extremity remains at 20 percent.

The Veteran's hypertension, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and cervical spine degenerative joint disease are not service connected. The Veteran's lumbar spine condition is rated at 10% since the beginning of the appeal period, while his cervical spine condition was initially non-compensable but later granted a 20% rating starting from May 16, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including migraine headaches and depression, have been found to cause or aggravate his current psychiatric disorder. His sleep apnea is also linked to his service-connected conditions. However, the Veteran’s DDD of the lumbar spine and hypertension are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete VA examinations and outdated treatment records. The issues of increased ratings for lumbar spine disability and right knee disability are pending.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability due to new and material evidence. The claims for right knee, right leg venous insufficiency, and acquired psychiatric disorder are all remanded for further development.,The Veteran's right knee disability is being remanded for a new medical opinion on its etiology. The claim for service connection for the right leg venous insufficiency is also remanded with a request for a new examination and opinion.,The claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety, and pain disorder associated with both psychological factors and a general medical condition are being remanded for a new examination by a psychologist or psychiatrist to determine their etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, but the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for depression and TDIU are being remanded due to procedural issues.

The Board has granted service connection for a back condition, lumbar spine DJD and DDD, major depressive disorder, but denied PTSD. The claims are reopened due to new evidence received since the last denial.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The left thumb disability was rated at 10%, the cervical spine disability at 20% from October 27, 2010 to July 26, 2015, and at 30% since July 27, 2015; the lumbar spine disability at 40%; the bilateral knee disability at 10%; and TDIU was denied from October 27, 2010 to June 30, 2011. The effective date for the 30% rating for cervical spine disability remains July 27, 2015.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made. The Board granted service connection for PTSD.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including hip disorders, bronchitis, pulmonary vascular disease, traumatic arthritis, and TBI. The decision also includes a request for clarification on the appellant's eligibility as a surviving spouse due to potential marriage disputes.

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain and review additional service records, including those from the Veteran's Army Reserve and National Guard service. They are also asked to determine if any of these periods were active duty, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA. The VA is instructed to provide an addendum opinion on whether the Veteran’s psychiatric disorder clearly and unmistakably pre-existed his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disability, right hand condition (claimed as loss of grip and feeling), left hand condition (claimed as loss of grip and feeling), and vertigo are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received after the last adjudication, and requests a VA examination to determine if any current back disability is related to service.