Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disorder, left arm disorder (other than left wrist arthritis), and right wrist disorder due to inadequate medical opinions. The claims are being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability due to insufficient substantial compliance with its March 2022 remand instructions. The Veteran's representative submitted additional evidence and argument in support of his appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected low back, right knee, and left ankle disabilities rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment as of January 1, 2007.

The Veteran's ratings for lumbosacral strain and cervical strain were reduced from 40% to 10%, but the reduction in the rating for lumbosacral strain was improper, so the original 40% rating is restored. The reduction of the rating for cervical strain was proper.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding no nexus between her current condition and her military service. The Board also found that obesity was not an intermediate step in causing or aggravating her lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development on several issues, including service connection claims and rating determinations.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine, cervical spine, spondylolysis, spondylolisthesis, and degenerative arthritis disabilities are found to have originated during active service. The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease is also found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbar spine disability, right and left ear hearing loss, and other conditions are granted due to the presence of a current disability that is related to service. The additional period of active duty from June 2004 to September 2004 was confirmed.

The Veteran's migraine headaches and lumbar spine strain have been granted service connection, with a 40% evaluation for the latter. The issue of increased rating for the lumbar spine strain is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of lumbar spine arthritis, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and updated VA treatment records. The right shoulder disability rating is also remanded.

The Board has granted restoration of a 40 percent rating for lumbar spine disability, effective May 1, 2019. The claims for increased ratings in excess of 40 percent for lumbar spine disability and 30 percent for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity associated with lumbar spine disability are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his lumbar spine, cervical spine, right hip, and right foot disabilities. The issues include direct service connection as well as secondary service connection.

The Board denied service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a lumbar spine condition, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his active duty service or VA care.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to their failure to attend VA examinations and current homelessness. The RO is instructed to attempt to locate the Veteran, schedule new VA examinations if located, and consider all relevant evidence in determining the nature and etiology of the claimed disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, but denied service connection for right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, low back disability, skin rash, and hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral leg disabilities, including leg cramps and radiculopathy of the lower extremities, are being reopened due to new evidence. The issue of lumbar DDD is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms were present shortly after service entry and diagnosed shortly after discharge. The Board determined there is no clear and unmistakable evidence of pre-service disease or injury.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating may be warranted based on functional loss. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability in March 1999. The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were granted, with the latter being based on credible lay statements of in-service noise exposure.