Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and TDIU prior to January 17, 2012 due to incomplete development. The Veteran's SSA records are requested.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral dry eyes with light sensitivity, tinnitus, left ear hearing loss, allergic rhinitis, cervical spine degenerative disease, recurrent right wrist tendonitis, fractured base of the fifth metacarpal of the right hand, asthma with obstructive sleep apnea, and GERD have all been granted effective December 1, 2017.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis, a right shoulder disability, left wrist disability, left hand disability (claimed as osteoarthritis and tendonitis), and a left knee disability were denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected chronic low back pain syndrome is being remanded due to the need for AOJ review of additional VA generated evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection has been dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for residuals of Burkitt lymphoma on a direct basis, lumbosacral strain, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records. The issues of entitlement to service connection for anxiety, low back condition, left foot condition, and right knee condition will be considered in light of any new findings regarding his left knee.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the higher rating of 10 percent for hypertension is denied as it does not meet the criteria established by VA regulations.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD is denied due to a failure to timely file a substantive appeal within one year from the issuance of the June 2014 SOC, making the May 28, 2008 statement of the case (SOC) final.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for a back disability is denied as it does not meet the criteria established by VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for a greater than 40 percent rating for his lumbar degenerative disc disease with herniated disc stats-post laminectomy and microdiscectomy of the L5-S1 was denied. A 60 percent rating for left lower extremity foot drop and left lower extremity radiculopathy involving S-1 nerve is granted from May 15, 2017. The Veteran's claim for a greater than 10 percent rating for right lower extremity neuropathy due to lumbar degenerative disc disease was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, including lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis, is related to his military service. After considering all evidence of record, the Board finds that reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran has been resolved.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to the Appellant's character of discharge and service connection claims for various disabilities. The case will be returned to VA for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance of another person or being housebound has been remanded due to issues with notification and compliance with previous Board directives.

The Board found that the withholding of VA disability compensation benefits for training days in FY 2004 and FY 2014 was proper based on concurrent pay, and denied both appeals.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to May 9, 2022.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have chloracne at any point during the appeal period and therefore service connection for this condition is denied. The claims of increased rating for actinic keratosis, service connection for DDD, service connection for bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, and service connection for squamous cell carcinoma are all remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate previous opinions.

The Board has determined that the most recent VA examinations are inadequate and remands for further examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The claims will be readjudicated after obtaining any outstanding relevant records.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is rated at 20 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or neurological impairment. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in disability rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, was not incurred in or aggravated by service.,There is no evidence of an eye disorder related to service exposure. The Veteran's current eye conditions are more likely due to aging.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of a research article and the Veteran's reports of back pain since service. An addendum opinion is needed from an appropriate medical professional.

The February 28, 1975 rating decision was found to be clearly and unmistakably erroneous in denying service connection for lumbosacral strain with associated neuritis. The Veteran's back condition is presumed to have existed prior to service.