Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine DDD was granted an initial rating of 20 percent, effective October 1, 2011. A higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for back injury and head injury have been reopened, with new evidence showing current diagnoses of lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, as well as continuity of symptoms since in-service injuries. The claim for bilateral hearing loss has not met VA criteria.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disorder, tinnitus, lumbar spine disorder, residuals of head injury (including memory loss), and headaches have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's cervical degenerative disc disease is related to a vehicle hit improvised explosive device (IED) incident during service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities are granted. Service connection is also granted for diabetes mellitus, type II. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for right shoulder degenerative joint disease is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for Morton's neuroma of the right foot has been denied as the current rating adequately reflects his disability.,A compensable rating is granted for the painful scar on the right hand, with no greater than 10 percent assigned.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for lower back disability was granted. His claims for increased ratings and separate ratings for knee subluxation or instability were also granted, but the issue of service connection for bilateral ankle disabilities remains remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability, hypothyroidism, back disability, right arm disorder, left arm disorder, left hip disability, right hip disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has established service connection for these conditions based on exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and remanded the issue of an initial compensable rating for tinea pedis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostatitis is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for back condition, right shoulder degenerative joint disease, and right knee condition are also being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine, bilateral knee disabilities, and acquired psychiatric disorder (unspecified depressive disorder) as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes cavus. The decision also remanded the issues of service connection for radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease other than intervertebral disc syndrome, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to an injury sustained during active duty.

The Board dismissed all appeals as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was denied. For the period prior to June 10, 2019, he received a 20% rating. Beginning on June 10, 2019, he was granted a 40% rating.

The Board has granted service connection for back disability, OSA, and seborrheic dermatitis. The Veteran's initial rating of 10 percent for seborrheic dermatitis is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records. Specifically, a VA examination is needed to assess his current back disability and headaches, as well as to determine if there are any missing service treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability due to insufficient evidence in the July and August 2021 addendum opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee degenerative joint disease, lateral meniscus tear and chondromalacia of the patella. The other conditions remain denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions due to incomplete development. The Veteran's records, including imaging studies and community care records, need to be associated with the file.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, bilateral pes planus, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, and lumbar spine disorder are all granted as secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected back and leg conditions have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since November 22, 2011.