Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there is no evidence to support or suggest that any of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or contributed to his death in any way.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine injury residuals including degenerative disc disease and intervertebral disc syndrome, as well as left shoulder neurological disability, both of which are determined to have originated during active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient service treatment records and an inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disability. The RO is instructed to attempt to obtain missing service treatment records, particularly those from the Veteran's first period of active duty with the Marine Corps, and to provide a new medical opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and separate compensable ratings for knee disabilities were denied. The cervical spine disability was not rated higher than 10 percent, the thoracolumbar spine disability was not rated higher than 20 percent, and both knee disabilities received separate compensable ratings.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's conditions, including service connection.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection was remanded due to incomplete or unclear evidence, particularly regarding the relationship between his service-connected conditions and any new claims.

The Veteran's hypertension, left eye pterygium with dry eye syndrome, right wrist ganglion cyst with painful motion, lumbar spine IVDS, left shoulder disability, and right shoulder disability have been rated based on their respective service-connected conditions. The Veteran received a combined schedular rating of 100 percent from April 1, 2014.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's knee disabilities. Service connection for low back disability is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbosacral strain and degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine was granted with a 20% disability rating effective July 12, 2021. The maximum schedular rating has not been assigned.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his lumbosacral strain and associated bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for clarification on whether the range of motion tests were performed in a weight-bearing position, or if additional examinations are required.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability, initial rating for service-connected headaches, compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and increased ratings for service-connected chondromalacia and degenerative joint disease of the right knee and left knee have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the entire appeal.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including radiculopathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, is rated at 40 percent effective July 24, 2019.

The Veteran's back disability, which includes degenerative disc disease and other spinal conditions, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board found that the evidence did not show flexion being less than 60 degrees or combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine being 120 degrees or less, which are required for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, with a noncompensable rating assigned for ulnar collateral ligament of the thumb sprain.

The Veteran's disability rating for degenerative disc disease with L5-S1 herniation was increased to 40 percent, effective April 28, 2012. The appeal is denied as the condition does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability, bilateral pes planus, back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to outstanding records and a need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion and obtaining any outstanding VA medical records.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including left and right foot disabilities and a lumbar spine disability. The case is being remanded for further examination and medical opinions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted service connection. Service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to the lumbar spine disability is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to outstanding medical records and incomplete opinions regarding his claimed disabilities.