Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 12, 2006 for the award of a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran had established service connection for lumbar spine and bladder conditions, but his hypertension and heart issues also impacted his ability to work. The Board found that it was not factually ascertainable that his service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment within the year prior to his January 12, 2006 claim.

Service connection for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities is granted. The issue of a rating greater than 40 percent for a low back disability and TDIU are remanded.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on limitation of motion or ankylosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a disability rating and TDIU due to issues with scheduling an examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for further evaluation of his lumbar spine disability and psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's appeals for left and right knee conditions have been dismissed due to withdrawal. The claims of bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, Depression, Anxiety), and lower back condition are remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to support the Veteran's claims for service connection. This includes obtaining medical records and personnel records from her Army Reserves service, as well as updated VA treatment records.

The reduction in disability rating for status post compression fracture, lumbar spine was proper due to clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the December 2013 rating decision.,The restoration of a 10 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for vision loss, left knee condition, left ankle condition, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability has been dismissed. The appeals for right knee condition, right foot condition, left foot condition, and low back condition (secondary to right knee, right foot, and left foot conditions) have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for his lumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities, and total disability due to individual unemployability.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for further medical examination and records.

The reduction of the rating for low back disability from 40% to 20% was improper, and the 40% rating is restored. The case regarding entitlement to TDIU prior to November 17, 2016, is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations related to his lumbar spine disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for dermatophytosis of the toenails was denied in February 1972 and again in May 2002, but new evidence submitted since November 2003 does not reopen this claim.,Service connection is granted for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The Veteran's GERD is found to be caused or aggravated by his service-connected coronary artery disease.,The low back disorder claim is denied. There is no evidence showing the low back disorder was incurred in service, due to an undiagnosed illness, or related to herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by service and did not have a direct link to any service-connected condition.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating issues due to his withdrawal of those claims. The TDIU claim was also dismissed as there is no evidence that an earlier effective date can be assigned.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been shown to preclude substantially gainful employment for the period prior to June 21, 2022. The Board finds that a TDIU is warranted on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle and back disabilities have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the current disabilities and active military service.

The Veteran's heart disorder and low back disability are granted service connection due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran's Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is rated at 40 percent, with separate ratings denied for fatigue, dyspnea, light-headedness, and weight and appetite changes.

The Board has denied service connection for G6PD deficiency, heart condition, high blood pressure, and prostate condition as there is no evidence of these conditions during active service or within one year post-service. The Veteran's current diagnoses are not shown to be related to his military service.