Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and thus his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's back disability is being remanded for further evaluation and treatment records to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability from March 21, 2019 due to lack of evidence showing unfavorable ankylosis or other functional impairment that would warrant such a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with herniated nucleus pulposus, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to insufficient evidence in his claims file.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathy are currently rated based on their underlying conditions, but a remand is required to determine if the Veteran's functional limitations due to flare-ups or repetitive use warrant separate ratings for each nerve involved.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his knee and lumbar spine disabilities were denied. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, gout, a left shoulder disability, and a heart disability (claimed as triple bypass-heart with defibrillator/pacemaker) have been dismissed due to withdrawal of appeal.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is granted as service connection due to in-service injury and continuity of symptoms.,The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted as service connection due to in-service exposure and continuity of symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, qualifying for TDIU. The dental disorder was not incurred or aggravated by service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back and left knee disabilities, finding that VA examinations are needed to determine their etiology. The issues remain on appeal as secondary service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding no current evidence of a diagnosed condition resulting in functional impairment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence and a need for an updated opinion regarding the Veteran's back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing or maintaining gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, finding that the Veteran's current back condition is not causally related to her in-service injury and was more likely due to age-related degenerative changes.

The Veteran's tropical sprue and lumbar fibromyositis (back disability) have been granted service connection, with the back disability receiving a 40% rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for Parkinson's disease, back disability, and cervical spine disability due to incomplete development related to exposure claims. The Veteran is also requested to provide information about his service-connected motor vehicle accident.

The claim for service connection has been reopened, but the issues of service connection for a back disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and left ear pain are still pending and need further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date, finding that there was no evidence of a need for regular aid and attendance prior to September 17, 2013. The decision is based on the Veteran's testimony and medical records indicating periods of assistance but not a consistent need.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a rating in excess of 20 percent for a low back disability, and an earlier effective date prior to January 28, 2015 for the grant of service connection for a low back disability due to incomplete development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee degenerative arthritis and thoracolumbar spine DDD, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other manifestations.