Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's back disability was not incurred in or aggravated during service and denied his claim.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease, cervical spine; hypothyroidism; and epilepsy. The Veteran's PTSD claim remains pending.

The Board finds that further development is required to determine the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and hepatitis C. The current VA examinations are inadequate, and additional evidence may be needed.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and private medical records.

The Veteran's back condition is currently rated at 20 percent, and he has separate ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to his service-connected back disability. The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or IVDS criteria.

The VA denied the claim for service connection as the appellant's back disability was not aggravated by his ACDUTRA service. The pre-existing condition of a back injury from a motor vehicle accident prior to ACDUTRA is considered, and it is determined that this condition did not worsen during ACDUTRA.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected low back intervertebral disc syndrome, with degenerative arthritis, and right sciatic neuropathy are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a videoconference hearing. The TDIU claim remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine condition, including herniated nucleus pulposus at L5-S1 on the left with sciatica, is being remanded due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinion.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed lumbar strain with DDD of the thoracolumbar spine, cervical spinal stenosis, left shoulder disorder, and bilateral knee disorder were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The failure to report for VA examinations served only to deprive the Board of critical clarifying medical evidence.

The Board found no evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's left hip, left leg, or low back disorders are related to his active service.,VA medical records do not provide sufficient information to establish a nexus between any current diagnoses and service.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA spine examination to determine if the Veteran's low back disorder is related to his military service. The claim will be adjudicated again after the examination.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, arthritis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were not shown to have been incurred or aggravated during active service.,There is no evidence of a nexus between the current diagnoses and any in-service events or diseases.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, including whether it is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder and skin disorder are not related to his active service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The low back, right shoulder, and left knee conditions are also under review.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected knee, lumbar spine, and right shoulder disabilities are being remanded to allow for additional development including scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the service connection claims for bilateral knee disorders and a low back disorder, both of which were previously denied. The Veteran's claim is granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to an increased disability rating for degenerative disc disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is related to an event in service and grants service connection for this condition.