Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has granted an initial rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's low back disability. The case is remanded to determine service connection for hypertension.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset of his condition and the dates of his Reserve service. The case will be returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for more current VA examinations and additional medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of examination and need for further development. The issues are related to back condition, left hip condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

Your TDIU claim has been dismissed because you opted into the AMA review system, and your representative withdrew the Legacy appeal for this issue. The Board does not have jurisdiction over this matter.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability is granted a 40 percent rating from January 1, 2006 to August 29, 2006 and beginning October 1, 2006. The Board found that the Veteran's limitation of forward flexion was close to 30 degrees or less.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the underlying claims remain denied. The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in denying these claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for DJD of the thoracolumbar spine and right lower extremity radiculopathy were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,Service connection was granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that his pre-existing low back pain did not increase in severity during active service and thus could not be considered aggravated.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right knee, low back, and bilateral hip disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding causation and aggravation.

The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, hypertension, and prostate disability are all granted. The Board found that the Veteran had a credible history of low back pain since service and current diagnoses of hypertension and prostate disability. However, it denied service connection for hypertension due to lack of evidence showing its onset during service or being related to an in-service injury or event. Service connection was also denied for prostate disability as there is no evidence of chronicity of the condition dating back to service.

The Board denied service connection for multiple myeloma, mycobacterium-avium complex, hypothyroidism, diverticulitis, atrial fibrillation, and lumbar spine disability due to lack of evidence of herbicide exposure in Thailand or at Eglin AFB.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions result in loss of use of both lower extremities, requiring her to rely on a walker or wheelchair for mobility. The Board has granted eligibility for specially adapted housing due to this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service and the VA examiner opined that the current arthritis is more likely due to natural aging process rather than active duty.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for back pain, left knee condition, and right knee condition. However, it denied these claims as there is no evidence of a current disability related to active service.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was granted at a 20 percent level from September 9, 2009 through March 12, 2017. The Veteran's LLE radiculopathy received an initial compensable (10%) rating from January 13, 2010 through March 12, 2017.

The Board denied service connection for lower back disability, left hip disorder, and right hip disorder. The Veteran's current conditions are attributed to congenital issues rather than events in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and lumbosacral strain due to procedural deficiencies and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability and TBI are not service-connected. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion to address these issues.