Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on several issues have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of those appeals.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with effective dates of February 1, 2019. The conditions are deemed to be directly related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 18, 1990 for the grant of service connection for scars is denied as the date of entitlement arose on that date.

The Veteran's lumbar spine condition, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy were granted effective November 13, 2017.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain has been rated at a 20 percent rating, but no higher, based on the evidence showing forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees. The claim is granted.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar disability (back injury) is found to be related to his active-duty service.,His right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are determined to be secondary to his service-connected lumbar disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability began in service and has continued since then, granting his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates are dismissed as the March 2021 rating decision was not an initial decision in the AMA and thus, the appeal must be dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination. The issues include low back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 40 percent, effective January 1, 2021.,Entitlement to a rating of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain has been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, left hip strain, right hip strain, and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine (back condition) on a presumptive basis due to service in Southwest Asia. The Veteran's current disabilities are related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability is at least as likely as not related to active service and has ordered a VA examination to provide a more definitive opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an unspecified depressive disorder was granted secondary to a service-connected back disability, effective April 7, 2006.,The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective July 18, 2011. The DEA eligibility was also granted on the same date.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate to address the Veteran's claim for service connection of his cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, specifically due to a motor vehicle accident during service. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for coccyx fracture and lumbar strain as secondary to a left knee disability due to new and relevant evidence. The claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder condition and neck condition, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremity was reduced from 20% to noncompensable effective March 1, 2021.

The Veteran's left toe disability is granted a compensable rating of 20 percent.,Service connection for back, left leg, and right leg disabilities are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a psychiatric disability, right knee disability, and lumbar spine disability. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was also denied as it did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure by the AOJ to address the Veteran's request for revision of the June 2011 rating decision regarding compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a lumbar spine disability on the basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE).