Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and for further examinations.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for a back disability is granted. The case is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his condition and its relationship to his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for L4-L5 and L5-S1 degenerative disc disease with clinical left lumbar radiculopathy, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and major depression, to include insomnia. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease with herniated disc, lumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent and a higher rating is denied. The Veteran also meets the criteria for a TDIU from July 31, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, lumbar spine injury with subsequent osteoarthritis (curved spine), pinched nerve of the cervical spine, mild degenerative changes in the left leg and knee, and prostate cancer, preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment. As a result, his claim for TDIU is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and sinus arrhythmia due to missing records and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for back condition and PTSD due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete development.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and low back disorder as there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that his current lumbar spondylosis is related to his active military service and establishing a continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and a lower back condition have been granted. The Board found that the evidence supports current disabilities, in-service incurrences of these conditions, and a link between service and these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea, chronic sinusitis with rhinitis, and chronic lumbosacral strain with arthritis. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence, including lack of in-service complaints and treatment records. The Veteran will need to provide updated VA treatment records and undergo a VA examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including her low back disability, bilateral bunions, hypertension, hysterectomy, and migraine headaches. The claims are being remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding her hip, hand, and upper extremity disabilities. The low back disability claim is also being remanded as the VA examination did not include necessary joint testing.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine and radiculopathy of the left leg due to incomplete documentation and need for further examination.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and associated radiculopathies have been granted increased ratings, effective from July 18, 2013. Special monthly compensation at the housebound rate has also been awarded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left knee disability, right ankle disability, sarcoidosis, and a higher rating for lumbar strain due to additional medical development and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability and associated left lower extremity nerve paralysis was denied. He received an initial 10 percent rating for the low back disability prior to September 24, 2012, and a 20 percent rating since then.

The Board denied the reopening of a claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability because no new and material evidence was submitted, despite the Veteran's history of back pain.

The Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine strain and right lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for additional development.