Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition did not have onset in service and is not related to his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a back condition, which is secondary and caused by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. The August 2023 VA examination opinion supports this finding.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that the Veteran's back pain and related conditions began during his military service.

The Veteran's service connection for adjustment disorder with other features is granted, and the appeal for an increased rating for his thoracolumbar spine disability and TDIU is remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to non-compliance with previous remand instructions. The issues of service connection and TDIU are being remanded as they are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and low back strain are currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes, back disability, heart related disability, spot on lungs, and right upper extremity condition due to missing service records and further development is needed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to January 19, 2011. The evidence does not substantiate a reasonable possibility that he is unemployable by reason of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA opinion regarding the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease. The matter is being returned for further evaluation and a new opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his work experience, skills, vocational training, and educational background from January 30, 2009 to October 6, 2021.

The claim to reopen the issue of entitlement to service connection for back disability and left hip disability is dismissed.,The claims of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, headaches, PTSD, left knee disability, and right knee disability are dismissed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition, finding that there is no evidence to support a causal relationship between his current disability and events during military service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher combined rating in excess of 90 percent, effective from July 19, 2017, is denied. The AOJ's December 2017 rating decision correctly calculated the combined total rating as 90 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and right ankle disorder are dismissed. The claim to reopen his bilateral eye disorder is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral hip, knee, and lumbar spine disabilities on a secondary basis to her service-connected PTSD. The disabilities are caused by obesity, which was also caused by her service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's low back disability prior to December 27, 2016 did not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating based on limited range of motion and lack of ankylosis.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for GERD was granted, and the issue of entitlement to service connection for GERD is also granted. The issue of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea is granted. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a lower back condition is remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for right ankle, right knee, and lumbar spondylolisthesis have been denied. The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is REMANDED due to inadequate opinions regarding causation and aggravation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches, hemorrhoids, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability are granted. The appeals for service connection for these conditions are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.