Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and remanded the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset during active service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 40 percent from October 28, 2019 to November 1, 2022. The VA increased the rating to 100 percent effective November 2, 2022.,SMC was granted for the Veteran's service-connected disabilities from December 2, 2020 to November 1, 2022.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to non-compliance with prior directives.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings for his service-connected left knee disability, as well as his claims for service connection for a lumbar spine and right knee disabilities. The remand also includes a request for additional development related to the Veteran's claim for TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for a spine disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are more likely due to age-related degeneration and post-military trauma, rather than his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate medical opinion in a previous decision. The Veteran's statements of back pain since service discharge are considered both competent and credible, and further development is needed for a new medical opinion considering these factors.

The Veteran's lumbar strain does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it does not result in forward flexion of 60 degrees or less, combined range of motion of 120 degrees or less, muscle spasm, guarding severe enough to result in abnormal gait or spinal contour, ankylosis, or incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected disabilities have been denied. The effective dates for the grants of service connection and increased disability ratings are all set to June 21, 2016.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection of a lumbar disability and increased ratings for his lumbar disability, finding that January 25, 2014 was the earliest date of claim and thus the appropriate effective date. The rating assigned remains null as no specific rating has been determined.

The Board denied the petition to reopen the claim for service connection for chronic low back condition due to in-service aggravation, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability is remanded due to the need for an addendum medical opinion and additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus, right knee status post total knee arthroscopic repair, degenerative joint disease of the left knee, IVDS of the spine and lumbosacral strain, tinnitus, osteoarthritis of the right ankle, osteoarthritis of the left ankle, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, radiculopathy of the left knee, and rheumatoid arthritis (indicated by pes planus), render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's low back condition and its relationship to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various orthopedic disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the functional impact of flare-ups during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his representative. The Board has also remanded cases involving right and left knee disabilities, as well as a TDIU claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied service connection for various skin disorders and spine and shoulder conditions, finding that the Veteran's claims were not supported by credible evidence of a nexus to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities for which service connection is warranted, including low back disability, left shoulder dislocation, left knee disability, right knee disability, corneal abrasion of the left eye, erectile dysfunction, and headaches.,Service connection was denied for residuals of right index finger laceration and residuals of left upper thigh stab wound due to lack of current disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for headaches and higher ratings for his service-connected skin disability and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination report that failed to elicit relevant information about the Veteran's back flare-ups and provided range of motion estimates during flare-ups.