Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's low back disability, including degenerative disc disease, was incurred in or aggravated by his active service. The examiner should consider all evidence of record and provide an opinion on whether the disability is related to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to address the Veteran's claims of service connection, increased ratings, and initial increased rating for his right knee injury with degenerative joint disease and lumbar spondylosis and spondylolisthesis with degenerative arthritis of the spine.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disability and left knee disability due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran is considered credible in reporting his symptoms, but further medical examination and opinion are needed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his lumbar spine degenerative joint disease and PTSD, make it impossible for him to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar spine, bilateral knee, and right hip disabilities was granted. He is now in receipt of separate ratings for his lower extremity radiculopathy and DJD of the knees.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a back disorder due to additional evidence submitted by his representative. The case will be reviewed by the RO and then returned to the Board if necessary.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for migraine headaches, to include as secondary to service-connected disabilities, including the medications taken for those disabilities, due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The Veteran's claims will be further developed and a new addendum opinion is needed regarding whether his service-connected conditions aggravated his migraines.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to address issues related to service connection for a back disorder and respiratory distress and chemical sensitivity.

The Veteran's disability rating for DDD, lumbar spine was restored to 10 percent effective March 1, 2014.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to missing Social Security Administration (SSA) records and need for clarification on the nature and etiology of his right knee, right ankle, cervical spine, lumbar spine, and coronary artery disease. The VA will obtain these records and provide further medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected thoracic and lumbar spine disability did not necessitate a temporary total rating extension beyond June 30, 2009 due to lack of severe postoperative residuals or other specified conditions.

The claim for service connection for a low back disability is remanded, and the claim for service connection for hypertrophy of the prostate with urinary dysfunction to include as due to exposure to herbicide agents is also remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claims for service connection for a back condition, scars and denting of the forehead, headaches, right leg disorder, and left lower extremity disorder. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for elbow and low back disabilities, finding no evidence of a current disability related to service or any service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right ankle disorders, as well as a back disorder secondary to his ankle disorders. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or the onset of arthritis years after separation.

The Veteran's request to reopen a claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. Service connection is also granted for the acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder. The claims for TBI, left shoulder disability, lumbar spine condition, left knee disability, sleep disorder, and GERD are all remanded.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a back disorder is granted. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for thoracolumbar spine disorder due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disorder and a back disorder, finding that the disorders were not incurred or aggravated by service. The VA examiner concluded that the disorders are more likely related to aging and a post-service motor vehicle accident.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, cervical spine osteoarthritis, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's current diagnoses are not related to his active duty service.,There is no evidence of any neck injury or diagnosis of cervical spine disability during service or for more than a decade after service.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals, compression fracture, L1, have been rated at 20 percent. The Board found that the disability did not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating as there was no evidence of forward flexion of 30 degrees or less, or favorable ankylosis.