Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hip disability and therefore, service connection for bilateral hip disability is denied. The issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral knee disability and lumbar spine disability are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and spinal stenosis have been rated at the maximum available rating of 20 percent. The Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted as his symptoms do not more closely approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for Meniere's disease, and there was insufficient evidence to establish service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disorders.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability and TDIU as there was no competent evidence linking his current disabilities to his active service or service-connected conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disorder, including degenerative joint and/or disc disease, is not related to her military service. The evidence does not establish a nexus between her current condition and her active duty.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for his left thigh injury, thoracic spine disability, and cervical spine disability have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the service-connected low back disability and a 10 percent rating for the service-connected right lower extremity radiculopathy, effective from the date of the August 2015 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and arranging for medical examinations to address the Veteran's flat feet and low back disability claims. The earlier effective date claim is also inextricably intertwined with a CUE claim.

The Board has directed the VA to obtain an opinion on whether the Veteran's back disability is related to service. The case is now remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to an increased initial rating for lumbar spine DDD and a TDIU. The Veteran's appeal is currently in process.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and will attempt to obtain additional evidence before deciding the claims.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to address the claim on a secondary basis. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been presented to reopen his sleep apnea claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and review of recent medical records. The claims for service connection and increased rating are also remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to active service. The VA examination and private opinion provided conflicting opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a service-connected back disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection in this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records, particularly regarding his shoulder disabilities and low back disability. The case will be returned to the Board for further consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are etiologically related to his in-service combat stressors. The claims of service connection for low back disorder, hypertension, and bowel disorder remain pending.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for a low back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disability, finding new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for these conditions as they are found to be aggravated by pre-existing conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine L2-5, S1 is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional records and provide an etiology opinion.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathies of the lower extremities have been granted a combined rating of 20 percent, effective since November 10, 2010.