Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has decided that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability may be related to service, but more evidence is needed to determine this. The case is being sent back for further investigation and a medical opinion.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection of right and left ankle disabilities, but denied these claims due to lack of current diagnoses. The claim for low back condition was also denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD and prostate cancer residuals are rated at 40 percent, effective from July 28, 2023. The rating for the prostate cancer was previously granted prior to this date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have increased in severity since the last VA examinations. The Board has decided to remand these issues for further evaluation.

The Veteran's appeals for initial compensable ratings for TBI-related migraine headaches, left knee disability, and low back disability have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings has been withdrawn and dismissed. The issues of unspecified anxiety disorder, unspecified depressive disorder, IVDS (neck), lumbar spine disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity sciatic radulopathy, and right lower extremity sciatic radulopathy remain on appeal.

The Veteran's lower back disorder is currently rated at 40 percent, the maximum rating available under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for bilateral hearing condition was reopened, but the claim remains denied as there is no causal relationship between the Veteran's current hearing loss and his military service.

The Veteran's neck disability and carpal tunnel syndromes were rated, with some issues remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a low back disorder due to incomplete VA treatment records and unlocated service records. The Veteran's complete service records, including STRs, reserve records, and military personnel records, are unavailable.

The Veteran's representative withdrew his service connection claims for right hip disorder and low back disorder before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy of the lower extremities has been denied. The case is being remanded to consider a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The reduction in the disability ratings for lumbosacral strain, left patellofemoral pain syndrome, and right patellofemoral pain syndrome was not proper, and the original ratings are restored.,The Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, all over body pain, hair loss, PTSD, trapezius strain, asthma, hemorrhoids, anemia, TDIU, and SMC are remanded.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's foot fungus is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's depression claim is denied.,The Veteran's right knee disability is granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for ALS has been granted. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and a back disability remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran's muscle injuries are currently rated as 20 percent disabling, but the Board found no evidence of more than moderately severe impairment. Service connection for a low back condition was also denied.

The Veteran's low back disability, manifested by forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less prior to June 27, 2019, is granted a rating of 40 percent. The Veteran also received entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's low back disorder is granted service connection as secondary to her service-connected knee disabilities. Her acquired psychiatric condition is granted a 70 percent evaluation, and her right knee disability is granted a 20 percent evaluation.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left foot disability, right foot disability, right knee disability, and low back disability. The claims are being remanded to correct duty to assist errors prior to the December 2019 rating decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy in his right leg, prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.