Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board found that the appellant's back and right knee disabilities did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and thus could not be presumed to have been incurred in service. The Board also determined that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's joint pain affecting his back, neck, shoulders, arms, elbows, wrists, hands/fingers, and hips has been attributed to clinical diagnoses including DDD and DJD of the lumbar spine with bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, DDD and DJD of the cervical spine with bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, bilateral shoulder, arm, hand and finger tendonitis, and chronic bilateral wrist sprain. The Veteran's disabilities affecting his back, neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hands/fingers, hips, and legs did not originate in service or within a year of service, and are not otherwise etiologically related to the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, severe lumbosacral spondylosis, and migraine headaches have rendered her in need of regular aid and attendance prior to October 29, 2010. The Board finds that she meets the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a supplemental opinion from a VA examiner regarding the nature, extent, and etiology of the Veteran's claimed low back disability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his right knee disability and lumbar spine disability were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing and the issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC) on several service connection claims.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a back disability due to new and material evidence. However, the Veteran's fatigue is not considered related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after scheduling a new hearing.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, back disorder, and left shoulder disorder. The Veteran's current diagnoses of bilateral knee disorders, back disorder, and left shoulder disorders are found to be related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability did not originate in service or until years thereafter, and is not otherwise etiologically related to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The case will be reviewed to determine appropriate disability ratings using the most suitable diagnostic codes.

The Board found no causal nexus between the Veteran's in-service and post-service back pain, concluding that his current back disability is not related to his active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining updated medical records.

The Board has denied service connection for a back disability, neck disability, bilateral leg disability (due to a non-service-connected back disability), headaches, and vertigo as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's period of active service.,The Veteran reported intermittent back pain during service but x-rays did not show any underlying pathology. No diagnosis was made at separation from service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The reduction of the service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine from 20 percent to 10 percent effective July 1, 2016 was upheld.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease is as likely as not due to an injury in active service, with resolution of all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back condition and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are not service-connected. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is not service-connected as it was not incurred in or aggravated by service.,The Veteran's kidney cysts, lung disorder, and nerve disorders are not service-connected as they were not incurred in or aggravated by service.