Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disorders are not caused by an in-service injury and are unrelated to service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed. The Board found no evidence of a low back disability, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, or blurred vision that had onset during service and are not otherwise related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine levoscoliosis with spondylosis and degenerative disc disease, cervical spine scars, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy do not warrant increased ratings. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding increased ratings for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and TDIU prior to March 14, 2015. The Veteran's representative contends that he is entitled to an increased rating due to functional ankylosis and a TDIU based on his service-connected lumbar spine DDD.

The Veteran's right knee and low back disabilities are granted service connection, but his left ankle and right heel disabilities are denied. The case is remanded for further development regarding potential radiation exposure.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 70% rating, but no higher. The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for IVDS of the lumbar spine and service connection for right and left knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to scheduling issues and incomplete examination reports.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's death, as they do not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this case.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease disability was granted a 20% evaluation from October 10, 2008 to December 29, 2009. The decision found that the evidence did not show an increase in disability within one year prior to the claim.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, and the AOJ will determine the effective date. The AOJ must also consider additional evidence received since the last decision for the issues of service connection for radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, right upper extremity, cervical spine condition, head injury due to motor vehicle accident, severe abrasions of the left arm, and osteoarthritis of the left little finger with boutonniere deformity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain and service connection for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to insufficient evidence or lack of recent VA examinations.

The Board granted a rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's lower back disability, and granted ratings of 20 percent each for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including fibromyalgia, dermatitis, major depressive disorder, and lumbar spine disability, have rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since March 28, 2006. The Board has granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee, left knee, and low back disabilities, finding that these conditions began during his period of active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his employment was not marginal and he did not receive special accommodations in his work environment. The decision also noted that his income exceeded the poverty threshold for one person during the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal for Hepatitis C has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the issuance of a decision.,The claims for low back, left knee, right knee, and right ankle disorders have been reopened due to new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional medical opinions regarding service connection for a back disability and special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right hip and lumbar spine disabilities, to include as secondary to service-connected disabilities due to insufficient rationale in previous nexus opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability but denied service connection for hypertension. The decision on the back disability is based on evidence showing it was incurred during active duty training (ADT). For hypertension, the Board found no evidence of its onset or causation related to ADT.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is service-connected, as it was incurred during his active duty.