Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for a back condition secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disability. The claim for an increased rating for migraines was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hip disorder has been reopened due to new and material evidence. The claims for increased ratings of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and left knee disability are denied. Other issues related to service connection have been remanded.

The Veteran's back disability was reduced from a 20 percent rating to a 10 percent rating without prior notice. The claim for an increased rating is being remanded due to the failure to provide proper procedures before reducing the rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine is service-connected, as it was incurred during active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional medical examination and review of the Veteran's work history. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU prior to November 7, 2016 is now pending.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his thoracolumbar strain (back disability) is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and clarifying whether his back disability results in functional impairment akin to ankylosis.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated as 40 percent from September 26, 2012 to December 20, 2022.,A higher evaluation in excess of 40 percent for the Veteran's low back disability from December 20, 2022 is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability began during service and is related to his in-service injuries, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to a back injury sustained during active duty.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is not rated higher than 20 percent, and his left knee instability is rated at the lowest possible level. The Veteran's right and left knee chondromalacia are each rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of low back disability due to new VA medical records not having been addressed in previous decisions.

The Veteran's lumbosacral degenerative arthritis with IVDS is currently rated at 40 percent since November 9, 2020. The Board denied higher ratings for the period prior to that date.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and to obtain Worker's Compensation records related to a lumbar spine injury in 2002. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his thoracolumbar spine disorder.

The appeal for service connection for a deviated septum has been dismissed. The claims for low back disability, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), sinusitis, GERD, narcolepsy with cataplexy, eczema, and PFB scars have all been reopened due to new evidence received since the final rating decisions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and evaluation, including obtaining updated VA treatment records, scheduling a new examination to assess the severity of the lumbar spine disability, and determining whether a TDIU is warranted due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his service-connected PTSD, left foot disability, and other musculoskeletal conditions. The Board also notes that the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service and manifested within one year of separation.,Service connection was denied for a lumbar spine disorder due to lack of evidence showing its onset during service or within one year post-service. The Veteran's current sleep apnea claim was also denied as there was no diagnosis found in the medical records.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a back disability due to an inadequate medical opinion in the previous VA examination. The case is being sent back for further evaluation and clarification of whether the current lumbosacral strain is related to the pre-existing asymptomatic scoliosis or if it represents a separate condition.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar strain with degenerative changes is rated at 10 percent prior to September 11, 2020 and in excess of 20 percent thereafter. The initial rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic) since September 18, 2015 has been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability was granted effective from December 7, 2010. Effective August 12, 2014, the Veteran's right and left lower extremity radiculopathy were also granted as secondary to his thoracolumbar spine disability.,The Veteran's service-connected cervical strain received a 30% rating effective from December 7, 2010. The Veteran's service-connected headaches received a 50% rating effective April 1, 2014.