Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities are rated at least moderately severe, warranting a TDIU for the period since April 6, 2015.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a lumbar spine disability, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected residual scar of gunshot wound of the right scar and/or right hip and knee degenerative joint disease (DJD). The Board has ordered a new examination to determine if the lumbar spine disability is caused or aggravated by these service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the effective date for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with posttraumatic arthrosis of the right sacroiliac joint is August 31, 2001.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection in various issues, including left hand nerve damage, sleep apnea, right hip disability, gastrointestinal disorder, neck disability, and low back disability. The appeals were not granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability, sleep apnea, and hypertension. The evidence received since the previous denials is new and material, and sufficient to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of active, chronic Lyme disease warranting a 100% rating and denied an increased rating for patellofemoral syndrome of both knees.

The Board has found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is related to service, specifically as a result of the August 1963 documented back injury. However, due to lack of VA treatment records and private treatment records prior to 2006, additional steps are required for remand.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining missing documents and VA treatment records, as well as SSA disability benefits records. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to determine if he suffers from current bilateral arm, knee, lumbar spine, hepatitis C, and skin conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was initially granted with a 10% rating effective October 17, 2008. The RO has since increased the rating to 20%, 40%, and 20% for different periods of time.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for gout, hypertension, and cramping in arms and legs. The claim for lumbar spine degenerative changes was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disorder and radiculopathy. The case will be returned for further adjudication.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the appeal can be decided, including obtaining additional medical records and verifying stressors. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to allow for these steps.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine and back disabilities are related to his period of active service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a Board videoconference hearing. The issues of service connection for various conditions remain unresolved.

The Veteran was granted service connection for neurodermatitis of the right shoulder, which he claims is due to mosquito bites during service. The VA examiner found that this condition is related to his in-service exposure.,Service connection was denied for low back strain with mild degenerative disc disease as there is no evidence linking it to service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back and right hip disabilities. The claims are now before the Board for further review.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to inadequate earlier VA examination and the need for new VA examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed myofascial pain, upper back, and left arm disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, to include degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease, is not related to his period of service. The VA examiners concluded that the diagnosed DDD and DJD were less likely than not related to service.

The Board denied service connection for fibromyalgia, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, back disorder, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, right leg disorder, and left leg disorder. The Veteran's conditions were not found to be related to her service or secondary to her service-connected pes planus.,Service connection was denied for each of the Veteran’s claimed disabilities as they are not shown to have been incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability was not incurred or aggravated by service, and is not related to a service-connected condition. The claim for secondary service connection based on aggravation of a pre-existing condition was also denied.