Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disorder, characterized as lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, had its onset in service. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for heart and skin cancer of the extremities have been dismissed. The Board has referred other issues to the RO.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that the Veteran's current back condition did not manifest during or within one year after service and is not causally related to his military service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the veteran's claims, including service connection for various conditions and earlier effective dates. The appeal is not about service connection via a presumption like PACT Act/Agent Orange/Camp Lejeune.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, finding that it had its onset in service and is related to his active duty.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and low back disorder are granted service connection, with the PACT Act presumption. The bilateral leg disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for lumbar facet arthropathy is granted, with the earliest effective date being April 24, 2002.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to the Veteran's failure to report for VA examinations. The Veteran is required to attend a VA examination at a closer location and efforts should be made to contact him.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's back disorder is related to his service, as there was insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right tibia fracture residuals, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and right lower extremity radiculopathy, do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder was rated at 70 percent prior to March 1, 2016. The claim for a higher rating is denied.,The Veteran's right knee strain has been rated at 10 percent since February 20, 2020. The claim for a higher rating is denied.,Effective from February 20, 2020, the Veteran was granted a separate 10 percent rating for right knee instability. The claim for a higher rating is denied.,For the period prior to October 27, 2022, the Veteran's low back strain with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine warranted a 10 percent rating. The claim for a higher rating is denied.,Beginning from October 27, 2022, the Veteran's low back strain with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine warranted a 20 percent rating. The claim for a higher rating is denied.,For the period prior to March 1, 2016, the Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and vocational history.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting the grant of a TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted a 40% disability rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability. Separate ratings of 10% were granted for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy prior to May 23, 2017, with no higher ratings allowed.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed back disorder and skin disorder, as there may be outstanding service treatment records and VA medical records. The AOJ will obtain these records and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his claims.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability. The remaining issues of service connection for cervical, left knee, right knee, and heart conditions are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA, finding that he did not meet the schedular criteria for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability prior to June 21, 2011. The case was remanded for extraschedular consideration of TDIU from November 17, 2010 to June 21, 2011.

The Board denied service connection for left femur and back disorders, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not caused or worsened by his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected low back and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his conditions.