Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal because he did not file a timely notice of disagreement with the January 2009 rating decision that granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the thoracic and lumbar segments of the spine with compression, disc protrusion, and spinal stenosis, and denied service connection for a disability of the cervical spine/upper back and Scheuermann's kyphosis.

The Board found no nexus between the Veteran's current degenerative disc disease and his service, thus denying the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, diabetes (to include as due to Agent Orange exposure), and a sciatic nerve disability. The evidence did not support current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a scheduling error, and the Veteran's address of record needs to be confirmed. The Veteran will be scheduled for a video conference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not related to any in-service injury. As such, service connection for a low back disorder is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment consistent with his education, training, and work experience.

The Veteran's low back disability, specifically her lumbar spine degenerative arthritic changes and IVDS with left superficial peroneal nerve involvement and scarring, is currently rated at 20 percent. The claim for a higher initial rating was denied.

The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD and denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not addressed due to the lack of VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to inadequacy of a previous VA examination and other issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disorders. The AOJ must obtain updated treatment records, provide another examination if necessary, and readjudicate the claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of degenerative disc disease and left sacroiliac joint dysfunction of the lumbar spine are related to his active military service. The claims for residuals of a left knee injury and residuals of a left shoulder injury were not supported by the evidence presented.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 20 percent disabling from December 17, 2009 to November 19, 2015. From November 20, 2015 onwards, the disability has been rated at 40 percent disabling. The Board found that an evaluation in excess of 20 percent was not warranted for any part of this period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development and examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability was not incurred during active duty and is not otherwise related to military service.

The Board has remanded the case for clarification of a previous VA examination and to obtain additional medical records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on this new information.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for TDIU and service connection for sleep apnea, finding no clear and unmistakable error in the October 2000 rating decision. The claim for SMC based on need for aid and attendance was remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient medical evidence and needs further examination for both lumbar spine disorder and sinusitis.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's back disability. The claim will be adjudicated again after the additional development is completed.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining an adequate VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability and considering his contentions about an altered gait.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current ankle or back disability and therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.