Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent effective August 17, 2015. He also received initial ratings of 20 percent for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities from December 31, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for a thoracolumbar spine condition (claimed as arthritis back condition) and obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's current conditions are found to have had their onset in-service, with the VA examiner finding continuity of symptoms.

The Veteran's current diagnoses are not related to service, and the Board denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is rated at 40 percent, effective August 5, 2016. This decision grants a higher rating for his disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis was granted. Increased ratings were granted for patellofemoral syndrome of the left and right knees, as well as limitation of extension of the right knee.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (panic disorder, back disorder, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy) have made it impossible for him to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is being remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion from an orthopedic physician regarding the etiology of his scoliosis and degenerative arthritis. The current VA examiner's opinions are inadequate.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, including range of motion and flare-ups.

The Board has remanded both service connection claims for the Veteran's cervical spine disorder and left arm tingling/numbness. The reasons include inadequate findings in previous VA examinations, lack of continuity of symptoms between service discharge and post-service records, and need to consider the Veteran's lay assertions regarding his symptoms during service.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that the Veteran's continuous back pain since service is at least in equipoise with the evidence and thus resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of a low back condition (claimed as lumbar back strain). The Board dismissed the appeal due to withdrawal.

The appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for a left knee disability based on the receipt of new and material evidence is granted. The claims for service connection for a left knee disability (on the merits) and a back disability are remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lower back disorder and cold injury residuals. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's chronic cervical spine myofascitis with degenerative disc disease is found to be causally related to an in-service cervical spine injury, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for PTSD, as well as the grant of a TDIU effective September 2, 2013, are all granted. The OSA claim was reopened based on new evidence received after the initial denial in 2012.

The Veteran's back disability, disabilities of the knees, bilateral pes planus, and acquired psychiatric disability are granted with a 70% rating. The appeal is dismissed for the issue of service connection for shoulders.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to obtain a VA examination, which is necessary to determine if the Veteran's current back disability may be related to his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back condition and secondary service connection for his left leg radiculopathy as it is related to his back condition. The evidence supports that the Veteran's back injury occurred in service, leading to current symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for separate disability ratings for lumbar myositis, degenerative disc disease, and dextroscoliosis as it found that these conditions are manifestations of a single thoracolumbar disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to inadequate examinations and need for additional evidence. The issues of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, low back disability, hypogonadism, and diabetes mellitus are being returned to the AOJ for further action.