Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for back disability manifested by pain, finding that new evidence submitted after a previous denial supports this claim. The decision is based on credible lay evidence and the reasonable doubt created by the evidence must be resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, finding that the condition originated during active service.

The Veteran's eczematous dermatitis is rated at 60 percent, the maximum schedular rating. The low back disability remains at a non-compensable rating.

Your previously reduced rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, L4-L5 has been restored to a 40 percent effective March 29, 2021.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for common headaches and lumbosacral strain are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions. The AOJ must obtain new VA examinations and provide the Veteran with an addendum opinion regarding his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's multilevel lumbar DJD is rated at 40 percent effective January 14, 2021. Separate ratings are granted for right and left leg femoral neuritis.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations provided for the Veteran's cervical spine, left shoulder, left knee, and lower back disabilities were inadequate due to a lack of information on where pain begins during motion. The Board therefore orders remand for further examination.

The appeal of the increased disability rating for PTSD has been dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal. The claims for compensable ratings and service connection have been remanded.

The Board denied service connection for various foot, ankle, hip, and knee disorders as well as nerve damage due to a lack of current diagnoses.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional medical opinions regarding his cervical spine degenerative arthritis, as the initial opinion did not address whether it was related to his service-connected lumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran's lumbar strain has resulted in greater than 60 degrees of forward flexion and a combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine of greater than 120 degrees. She does not have ankylosis or functional fixation of the spine, muscle spasm, guarding severe enough to result in abnormal gait or spinal contour, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), or radiculopathy. Therefore, a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar strain is denied.

The Board has denied service connection for fibromyalgia, low back disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot disabilities.

The Veteran is granted an initial 70 percent rating for major depressive disorder, effective June 6, 2018.,The Veteran is also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities, effective June 6, 2018.

The Veteran's left knee tendonitis and lumbar spine arthritis are being remanded for further examination to determine the severity of his disabilities during flare-ups.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition, finding that there is no current diagnosis of such a condition and thus not meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's low back disability and heart disability (valvular heart disease) are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and left sciatic nerve impingement have been dismissed as he withdrew his claims before the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including back disability, left foot disability, TBI, and forehead scar, are not related to his in-service motor vehicle accident due to intoxication. The MVA was found to be caused by the Veteran's own willful misconduct.

The Veteran's low back condition is granted service connection, and he is awarded a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD. His diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction and hypertension is granted service connection but denied an increased rating. The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity diabetic neuropathy of the sciatic nerve and femoral nerve are each granted service connection.