Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an eye disability has been reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for testicular hypofunction with impotence, hyperlipidemia, hypertrophy of the prostate, and a lumbar spine disability have not been reopened or granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic kidney disease has been reopened and granted.

The Board has accepted the Veteran's February 2018 Notice of Disagreement as timely filed, finding that there is sufficient evidence to rebut the presumption of regularity in this case. The appeal was granted for some issues and denied for others.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his back disability is denied as the evidence does not show unfavorable ankylosis or functional equivalent thereto.,The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are denied as there is no evidence of complete paralysis, such as foot dangling or loss of active movement.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee osteoarthritis was granted. The issues of service connection for left knee disability and lumbar spine disability are remanded.,Right knee osteoarthritis is found to be related to the Veteran's military service, with frequent stooping, squatting, kneeling, and climbing ladders being contributory factors.

The Veteran's increased disability ratings for left knee and lumbar spine disabilities have been denied.,A total disability rating based on individual unemployability has been granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records. The Veteran will be provided with VA examinations for his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for vitiligo, allergic rhinitis, low back disability, left hip disability, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and migraines with nausea and dizziness are all denied. The Board has determined that the evidence is insufficient to establish service connection for these conditions.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis is also denied. The evidence indicates that her allergic rhinitis manifested as allergic rhinitis without polyps, but with greater than 50 percent obstruction of the nasal passage on both sides.,Service connection claims for a low back disability and left hip disability are remanded. A VA examiner will be asked to determine whether it is clear and unmistakable that the Veteran's preexisting scoliosis was not aggravated beyond its natural progression by her active duty military service.,The Veteran's claim for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and migraines with nausea and dizziness are also remanded. A VA examiner will be asked to determine whether these conditions were incurred in, or related to, her active duty service.,PACT Act exposure is not applicable to any of the claims.,No rating assigned as all issues are currently denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar spine DJD, associated RLE and LLE neurologic impairment, and migraine headaches due to non-compliance with previous remands. Additional development is needed including obtaining medical records and arranging a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder strain and thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease was reopened, and the Board found that these conditions are secondary to his service-connected knee disabilities. Service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability due to a lack of service treatment records. The Veteran contends that his current disabilities are related to in-service jumping from military vehicles with heavy equipment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for her low back disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability. The evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions were related to military service.

The Veteran's right shoulder, left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities are denied as service connection is not warranted.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is denied as it is not proximately due to or aggravated by his PTSD.,The Veteran's bilateral blepharitis and early cataracts are denied as they are not etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hand osteoarthritis and left knee disorder are granted service connection. The Board finds the evidence is at least as likely as not that her back disorder had its onset during service, but a VA examination is needed to determine if it is related to her service-connected bilateral foot disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the lumbar spine, finding that it is related to a back injury incurred during active duty training in June 1983. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder disorder. The claims for back and left foot disorders are remanded, as is the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the issue of service connection for lumbar strain due to additional development being needed, including an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's lumbar strain.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was not rated higher than 20 percent prior to November 15, 2022, and a rating greater than 40 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy received a 10 percent rating prior to August 5, 2020, but was denied any higher ratings thereafter. The right lower extremity radiculopathy also received a 10 percent rating prior to August 5, 2020, and was denied any higher ratings thereafter.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to new evidence received since the May 2020 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as associated radiculopathy conditions of the upper extremities, are not service-connected due to lack of credible evidence supporting their onset in service. The claims are being remanded for further examination and consideration.