Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for cervical and thoracolumbar spine disorders, finding no nexus between the current conditions and service. The VA examiners provided multiple negative opinions regarding a causal relationship.

The Veteran's service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis changes of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available.,The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder and pain disorder are currently rated at 30 percent.

Service connection is denied for a dental disability for compensation purposes (claimed as periodontal disease). The appeal regarding bilateral hearing loss and low back strain has been dismissed. The appeals for increased ratings for hemorrhoids and GERD have been remanded.,Service connection is not granted for the claimed conditions due to lack of evidence meeting VA criteria for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine (lumbar spine disability), and major depressive disorder as there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and active duty.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a back disability due to new and material evidence received since the last denial. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disability and headaches, but granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The issues of left and right lower extremity radiculopathy are also remanded.,Service connection was not granted for head trauma or headaches as secondary to head trauma.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability has been granted, but the disability is not considered to be related to military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records from his federal disability retirement and Social Security Administration benefits applications.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and bilateral knees due to incomplete records from Social Security Administration (SSA).

The Board has decided to remand the issue of service connection for a back disability due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to additional VA medical evidence not yet reviewed by the AOJ.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete documentation and need for further examination. The Veteran's back disability, right shoulder disabilities, and left shoulder disabilities are all under review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder and cervical radiculopathy are not service connected, as no VA examiner provided an opinion regarding their relationship to his thoracolumbar spine disability. The case is therefore remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for her low back disability is denied. The Board found that the objective medical findings did not support a higher rating, despite the Veteran's reported symptoms and functional limitations. Her claim for TDIU was granted as she met the schedular requirements and had service-connected disabilities rated at least 60% combined.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability has been reopened and granted. The Board found new and material evidence to support the reopening of his claim, including an August 2011 private medical opinion linking his current back problems to military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his low back disability was denied as the evidence did not show that he met the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate examinations and missing medical records. The issues include rating for lumbosacral strain, service connection for radiculopathy in both lower extremities, dermatitis or eczema, and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of lower back, left hip, and bilateral knee disabilities as secondary to service-connected residuals of a tibia and fibula fracture due to the Veteran's failure to appear at scheduled examinations. The VA will attempt to schedule new VA examinations.

The Board has granted reopening of the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and remanded the increased rating claims for the thoracolumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as additional medical opinions regarding her claimed right foot, left foot, bilateral ankle, bilateral knee, bilateral hip, low back, joint pain, eye, and psychiatric disorders.