Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's lumbosacral DDD was rated at 20 percent from November 19, 2018 to November 10, 2020. The Board granted a 40 percent evaluation for this condition during the appeal period.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period.,The Board remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy due to conflicting opinions on whether the condition is related to active service or secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the effective dates for increased ratings need to be corrected, and new examinations are required due to the passage of time since previous evaluations.

The Board denied service connection for a back condition and left ear hearing loss, finding no current disability. The case was remanded for further examination regarding the left knee condition.,The Veteran's claims for back and hearing loss conditions were not supported by evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including TBI, right knee disorder, low back disorder, PTSD, headaches, and skin disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to outstanding VA treatment records and private medical records from Carney Hospital.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for lumbar spine and bilateral foot disabilities has been denied. The issue of an initial rating in excess of 10 percent prior to October 10, 2017, for service-connected lumbar spine disability remains pending.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a low back disorder due to inadequate VA examination and failure to obtain relevant private treatment records.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's lumbar spine, bilateral knee, and headache disorders due to deficiencies in the VA examinations. The claims are being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back condition. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a back condition, but the VA examiner concluded that it was not likely related to his time on active duty.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claim for a thoracolumbar spine disability with DDD due to new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and National Guard/Army Reserve treatment records and scheduling an examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied as there was no current diagnosis or established link to service.,Right knee osteoarthritis and left knee osteoarthritis were also denied due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a cervical spine disability, TDIU, erectile dysfunction, bladder disability as secondary to a back disability, and back surgical scars as secondary to a back disability due to incomplete development of records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been granted, including a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected conditions. The initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and residual scar associated with right knee disability were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since March 31, 2009. The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of service connection for back condition has been granted. Service connection is also established for tinnitus.,Issues related to increased ratings for bilateral knee conditions and service connection for back condition, as well as bilateral hearing loss, are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent from January 30, 2018 onward. The Board found the evidence supports this rating based on limited forward flexion to 30 degrees.

The Veteran's service-connected testicular cancer and its metastasis to the retroperitoneum are granted as well as several related conditions. The cause of death is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability results in functional impairments, and he is not entitled to a TDIU based on his current schedular rating. The Board cannot decide entitlement to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis, so the matter is remanded for referral to the Director, Compensation Service.