Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease and intervertebral disc syndrome of the cervical spine was granted. The claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of lower extremities, and TDIU prior to October 16, 2015 were remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability, finding that the presumption of soundness on entry into service and aggravation by service were rebutted. The pre-existing condition was not shown to be aggravated beyond its natural progression.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability and obstructive sleep apnea were not incurred in service, and thus denied these claims. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to inadequate VA examinations, specifically regarding the Veteran's low back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the high rating claim for the low back disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lower back disability, diabetic retinopathy, and pseudofolliculitis barbae due to insufficient evidence in the record.,Specifically, the Veteran's assertions of a link between his current disabilities and active service or service-connected conditions are not supported by adequate medical evidence.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his military service and the condition. The decision also denied TDIU prior to September 17, 2015, and for the period from October 1, 2017, to January 30, 2019.

The Board has granted a 40% disability rating for low back strain effective May 10, 2019. Separate ratings of 10% each are granted for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy effective May 10, 2019. The claims are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, and his claim of entitlement to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis was denied by the Director. The Board finds that the evidence does not show that the Veteran is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due solely to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for sleep apnea, lumbosacral strain, and right lateral collateral strain because the claims were received more than one year after separation from service.

The Board has determined that the appeal pertaining to increased ratings for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as service connection claims for various conditions, is remanded due to insufficient evidence or procedural issues.

The Veteran's back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted service connection. Other claims for various conditions are being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and retrospective medical opinion, as well as additional development of his service treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to outstanding private treatment records and a need for an addendum opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain has been granted service connection.,For the entire period on appeal, the Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back and bilateral knee disabilities due to a failure to substantially comply with its prior remand order. The claim is being returned for obtaining etiological opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is related to service and granted his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back condition is related to his active service and grants service connection for this disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back pain, finding that it is more likely than not related to his in-service experiences.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis, xeroderma of the hands, perforated duodenal ulcer (gastrointestinal disability), and GERD. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder disability, and erectile dysfunction.