Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent prior to September 28, 2013, and increased to 20 percent thereafter. The appeal for a higher rating remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and a left knee disability, finding that the evidence reasonably shows these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion and outstanding private treatment records. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is being reviewed again for a proper determination of its nature, etiology, and service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability due to conflicting opinions and lack of clear conclusions in the VA examination report. The case is returned for further action, including obtaining additional medical records and providing an adequate opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left ankle, right ankle, and low back disorders. The positive opinions from a private orthopedic surgeon found these conditions were caused by active duty service.

The Veteran's lumbar spondylosis with IVDS and associated radiculopathies have been granted initial disability ratings from October 15, 2008 to September 23, 2019.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability, left elbow disability, and bilateral hearing loss are service-connected. However, the right elbow disability is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and service connection, finding no CUE in the March 1985 rating decision. The Veteran was granted service connection for a back disability but not for neuropathy of the right lower extremity, left foot drop, or urinary disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of lumbar strain with intervertebral disc syndrome and spinal stenosis is granted, effective November 29, 2012.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for service connection of a low back strain, and the Board has dismissed the case as a result.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine condition, radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities as secondary to a thoracolumbar spine condition, erectile dysfunction as secondary to a thoracolumbar spine condition, and bilateral hearing loss. The Board also denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of fracture of left mandible, postoperative.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to lack of substantial compliance with a prior remand directive and will require another examination to assess additional loss of range of motion from flare-ups and repeat use over time.

The Board denied the claim for service connection of a back disorder, finding that it did not occur during active duty or reserve training.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with mild scoliosis, finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to his active duty service.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, bilateral hearing loss, a low back disability, and tinea pedis/onychomycosis. The Veteran's claims are now remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of referred issues and will provide another opportunity for the Veteran to submit information. The TDIU claim will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acute promyelocytic leukemia, low back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and high blood pressure have been granted. The evidence provided a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Veteran's initial 20 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is granted, and his initial 30 percent rating for painful abdominal scars is granted prior to November 25, 2016. The appeal regarding deep/nonlinear abdominal scars and superficial/nonlinear abdominal scars is not addressed as they are denied.

The Board has dismissed all appeals for rating increases and service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting appropriate examinations.