Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for loss of smell, loss of taste, pseudofolliculitis barbae, left ankle disorder, left foot disorder, bilateral leg disorder other than sciatica, sleep apnea, and low back disorder. The Veteran's claims were not supported by medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and a right knee condition have been reopened. Service connection has been granted for both conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's motion to vacate the August 2020 decision for his claims of service connection for a back disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability. The claim for an increased rating for the left shoulder disability was not addressed under the new AMA appeal system.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased disability ratings for various muscle residuals status post rhabdomyolysis due to inadequate range of motion findings in his neck, back, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, and feet. The AOJ is instructed to obtain these necessary examinations.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and remanded the issue of service connection for right fifth toe disability. The decision on the back disability is that it was not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 10 percent prior to October 5, 2022 and at 20 percent beginning October 5, 2022.,Separate ratings of 10 percent were granted for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, finding that his condition clearly and unmistakably preexisted service and was not aggravated by service beyond its natural progression.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine and left knee disabilities due to the Veteran's failure to appear for scheduled VA examinations despite multiple attempts by the AOJ.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability due to lack of evidence showing an in-service injury and no current disability related to that injury.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's low back disability, right shoulder disability, and PTSD due to lack of recent examinations and treatment records. The matters are also remanded for further efforts to obtain SSA earnings information and a new VA Form 21-8940.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's low back and neck disabilities, as well as his varicose veins disability.,For the low back and neck service-connected disabilities, a new VA examination is needed to evaluate their current level of severity.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to January 24, 2008 due to her service-connected disabilities not preventing her from obtaining and maintaining a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU was denied, with the exception of a partial grant of a 40 percent rating effective April 4, 2017. The case is remanded due to procedural issues.

The Board has granted a TDIU from October 19, 2010 to September 29, 2011 due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder, including osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease, and cervical radiculopathy, was not incurred in or caused by service.,Right upper extremity radiculopathy and left upper extremity radiculopathy were also not caused or aggravated by the Veteran's cervical spine disorder.

The Veteran's appeals for PTSD, increased ratings for stress fractures, and back condition have been dismissed as moot due to prior grants of service connection. The appeal for PTSD was not granted because the claimed in-service stressor could not be verified.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to deficiencies in the VA examinations and failure to consider certain evidence. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of lumbar spine with DDD L4-5, L5-S1 was granted a disability rating of 10 percent effective July 17, 2017. The claim for an increased rating prior to June 20, 2023, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter is denied.

The Board has denied an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome due to the absence of evidence supporting more than moderate incomplete paralysis.,The Veteran's lumbar spine condition is remanded as a retrospective medical opinion is needed to assess functional loss during flare-ups and estimate additional range of motion loss.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for RSD is remanded as VA has not provided an examination.

The Veteran's right knee scar is granted a 10% rating prior to September 25, 2018. The remaining issues are remanded for further evaluation.