Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection are denied as he did not serve during a period of war, and the evidence does not support a finding that his current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of outstanding records.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hemorrhoids, a left brow scar, and lumbar strain with spondylosis and associated bilateral radiculopathy have been granted. The Veteran is also entitled to separate ratings of at least 10 percent each for his right and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's service-connected right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 40 percent, effective from January 17, 2014.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for a low back disability and found that new and material evidence has been received. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back disability, finding that the evidence did not establish a causal relationship between his current condition and his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA spine examination and consideration of his TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the Veteran's periods of active duty and reserve service, obtain relevant medical records, and provide the Veteran with appropriate VA examinations. The appeal will be returned to the Board for further action.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a back disability. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if she currently has a back disability and whether it is related to her military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and providing an addendum opinion regarding his lower back disability. The claim for a bilateral lower extremity disorder is also inextricably intertwined with the lower back disability claim.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, DJD of the right knee, DJD of the left knee, DJD of the right hip, DJD of the left hip, and DDD of the lumbar spine as secondary to a service-connected wound of the right foot/muscle group X.,The Board has granted service connection for these disabilities based on evidence in relative equipoise.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed bilateral knee condition and therefore, service connection for this issue is denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, left and right foot conditions, low back condition, high cholesterol, bronchitis, sleep disorder, bilateral eye condition, arthritis, and sinus condition. The primary reasons are lack of in-service stressor for PTSD, no evidence of chronicity after discharge for other conditions, and insufficient herbicide exposure documentation.

The Veteran's back condition is connected to service and the Board has granted service connection for it. The case regarding the left knee condition and radiculopathy secondary to a back condition is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and left hip disorders have been aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities and shin splints, warranting secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional records from private providers. The Veteran's claims for service connection are pending and will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been manifested by forward flexion greater than 60 degrees and a combined range of motion greater than 120 degrees, without muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or spinal contour, and without incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS). The criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional VA treatment records and providing a medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any current or previously-diagnosed back disorder and residuals of septum hernia.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for a 40% disability rating for lumbosacral muscle strain with L5-S1 sacralization (fusion) and myofasciitis is dismissed as the claim was not filed in accordance with legal precedent.