Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran seeks service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability, which he claims is related to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. The Board has determined that further examination and development are needed before the claim can be decided.

The Veteran's low back disability has been granted service connection, diagnosed as degenerative joint disease or arthritis.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) to include as secondary to personal assault is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal of the denial for sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD is remanded. The timeliness of his appeals regarding joint and muscular pain, DDD of the lumbar spine, lumbar radiculopathy of both lower extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities is also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Board hearing at the Atlanta RO. The issues include service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, reopening of a right knee disorder claim, and secondary service connection for a back disorder.

The Veteran's tinnitus was not present in service or manifest to a compensable degree within one year of service discharge and is not otherwise related to service.,The Veteran's current low back disorder, including post lumbar laminectomy syndrome and lumbar radiculitis, was not present in service or manifest to a compensable degree within one year of service discharge, and is not otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left wrist sprain and right ankle sprain was received on April 10, 2014. The Board finds that the earliest claim for entitlement to benefits for both a left wrist sprain and a right ankle sprain was received on April 10, 2014.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (to include depression and anxiety), cervical spine disability, hypertension, right knee disability, left knee disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and low back disability are all related to his active service.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a diagnosed low back, right knee, or left knee disability during service or within the applicable presumptive period. The Veteran's complaints have not been supported by objective medical findings and his assertions alone are not competent to establish a current disability.

The Veteran's joint pains are attributed to known clinical diagnoses of degenerative conditions and are not related to his active service, including exposure to environmental hazards in the Persian Gulf.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's back disorder, including any injury sustained during active service and National Guard service. The claim will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's back disability is granted as service-connected, and he is assigned a 100% rating for his TBI from October 23, 2008.,He also receives separate ratings for migraine headaches associated with his TBI and SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder, diagnosed as herniated discs, is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis and lumbar spine disability, finding that her lumbar spine disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of her claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and service treatment records from Portsmouth Naval Hospital and Jacksonville Naval Medical Center. The examiner will also provide opinions regarding the relationship between current disabilities and in-service injuries or exposures.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA outpatient treatment records. A VA examination will also be scheduled to determine the nature and etiology of her bilateral hand, knee, and low back disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and clarification of his periods of active duty for training.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his lumbar spine DDD and associated RLE radiculopathy was denied. The initial rating of 20 percent has been granted, effective from August 13, 2015.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain a new VA medical examination for the Veteran's lumbar strain disability due to inadequate testing in the previous examination. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further review.

The Board found that the Veteran's back disorder is not related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back condition and a left foot condition, finding that there is no credible evidence of such conditions during or after service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation throughout the appeal period.