Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for recurrent lumbosacral spine injury residuals including lumbosacral strain, finding that the Veteran's condition originated during active service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to new evidence and incomplete service records. The Veteran's low back disorder is being reviewed again as it may be related to his military service.

The Board has found that there are outstanding records and the Veteran should be afforded VA examinations for his service connection claims. The appeals are being remanded to allow for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for low back disability and entitlement to a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran was not provided with adequate notice of VA examinations, and additional development is needed.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine disability, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD, low back disability, and alcoholism. The claims for right knee and left knee disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent prior to May 31, 2013 and 40 percent thereafter. The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome and left lower extremity radiculopathy are denied.

The Veteran's claims for back sprain, left calf tear, and right calf tear are remanded due to insufficient nexus opinions based on the lack of a diagnosis for these conditions in service records. A new VA examination is needed to determine if there is any functional impairment related to these conditions and whether they are at least as likely as not due to service.

The Veteran's left knee instability is granted a separate 10 percent rating, effective January 31, 2020. The claims for service connection and increased ratings for other conditions are remanded due to allegations of worsening.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for bronchial asthma and lumbar degenerative disc disease are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess current disability levels.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine condition, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with right sacral fracture, and related radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve. The issues are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine condition, as well as the severity of her lumbar spine condition, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and associated scar.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.,The Veteran is seeking an increase in rating for his left elbow disability, which includes limitation of flexion and extension. The Board has determined that further examination and opinion are needed.

The Board has remanded the claims for squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil and a back disorder due to inadequate opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran served in Vietnam, including with the Combat Action Ribbon.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted a rating of 40 percent, effective March 11, 2014. The appeal for increased ratings remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for a higher disability rating for his lumbar spine condition and TDIU prior to January 1, 2014 are being remanded due to the addition of new VA treatment records. The AOJ will consider these records in their readjudication.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a disability of the lumbar spine and tinnitus have been remanded due to procedural issues in the legacy system. The Board will issue an SOC if the Veteran does not withdraw his NOD or file a timely substantive appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and right knee strain due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The Board denied service connection for thoracolumbar and cervical spine disabilities, finding that the evidence did not establish a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and opinion regarding service connection claims, particularly addressing whether the Veteran's disorders are secondary to his service-connected right knee disorder.