Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for residuals of a left wrist injury, lumbar spine disability, and ankle disabilities. The claim for PTSD is also being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and an increased rating for his back disability due to incomplete VA examinations and conflicting evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, to include lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD), degenerative joint disease (DJD), facet joint syndrome (FJS), facet arthropathy, polyradiculopathy, and spondylosis is granted. The case is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left ankle disability, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, pain and numbness of bilateral upper extremities, and pain and numbness of bilateral lower extremities. The decision also noted that new evidence had not been received to reopen a claim for left ankle disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his low back disability and PTSD, as well as his TDIU claim, are being remanded due to procedural issues. The VA is instructed to schedule the Veteran for examinations to assess the severity of his disabilities and then readjudicate the cases.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is remanded due to a possible material change in the condition since the last examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of low back injury with herniated nucleus pulposus L4-L5 and degenerative changes is dismissed. The Veteran's left shoulder condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for Degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the cervical spine, Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine, Hypertension, and Hemorrhoids. The evidence submitted was not considered new and material.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of his lumbar spine, bilateral knee disabilities, and their impact on employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his right femur fracture, as well as his back and right knee disabilities. The appeals are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for additional development.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a chronic low back strain has been reopened and granted. The Board found that the current diagnosis of chronic low back strain is related to an in-service injury, and thus grants service connection.

The claim for service connection for a left knee disability is reopened, and the appeal is granted to this extent. The low back and bilateral hip disabilities are remanded.

The petition to reopen the previously denied service connection claim for a lumbar spine disability is granted. Service connection for a cervical spine disability and sleep apnea are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, but has remanded the issue of chronic epididymitis with transient hydrocele.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and consideration, including service connection claims for various conditions and a TDIU rating. The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder (also claimed as a neck condition) due to lack of new and material evidence, despite showing worsening degenerative joint disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his knee and lumbar spine conditions, as well as service connection for hepatitis C. The claims are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The Board has granted the reopening of the Veteran's claim for service connection for back condition and denied service connection for depression. The Board also remanded the issues regarding left hand tremor and right hand tremor for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches as secondary to his service-connected PTSD and cervical spine disability. The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s current headaches were not due to, or a result of, his in-service headaches but acknowledged a possible link between his service-connected PTSD or cervical spine disabilities and his headaches.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current hearing loss or a back disability for which service connection can be granted. The decision is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and to ensure all relevant records are obtained.