Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded several issues including earlier effective dates for LLER and RLER, higher ratings for back disability and radiculopathy, and a TDIU claim due to inextricably intertwined issues. The Veteran's service-connected conditions include LLER, RLER, and back disability.

The Board has dismissed all issues on appeal due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeals before the promulgation of a decision.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine condition is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence that has not yet been considered by the RO.

The Veteran's initial rating for DJD of the thoracolumbar spine prior to November 28, 2012 is granted at 20 percent. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for DJD of the thoracolumbar spine from February 1, 2013 onwards is denied. A separate rating of 40 percent for RLE radiculopathy is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of all pending claims.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for psychosis, for the purpose of establishing eligibility for treatment under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1702 is dismissed as his claim was moot due to a full grant of benefits for major depressive disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine is not service connected as it did not begin in service and is not caused or aggravated by her service-connected knee disabilities or obesity.

The Board has remanded several cases involving the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left knee degenerative joint disease, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with spurring and status post chondroplasty, recurrent subluxation of the right knee, postoperative cervical fusion with Brown-Sequard syndrome prior to July 6, 2018, and lumbosacral spine degenerative joint disease. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability was granted service connection. The right ear hearing loss, upper back, lower back, acid reflux (GERD), respiratory disability, and hemorrhoids were denied service connection. Service connection for the disabilities of the upper and lower extremities was also denied.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and right knee meniscal tear have been rated, but the Board has not determined if additional service connection is warranted for neck, shoulder, or sinus conditions.,The Veteran's knees require further examination to determine their current functional limitations.

The Board denied service connection for back and left knee conditions, finding that the current disabilities are not related to service.

The Veteran's epididymitis with hydrocele has been granted a noncompensable rating.,New and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the previously denied and final claims of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, hernia, and an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection, and his lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy were all granted initial ratings. The claim for service connection for bilateral hip and knee disabilities is remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right knee and low back disorders are related to her military occupational specialty duties.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various knee and hand disorders due to incomplete development of records.

The Board has determined that the cause of death is unclear and remands for further development to determine if service-connected conditions contributed to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability was denied, and the TDIU claim was remanded due to lack of information from previous employers.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease with spondylosis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left hip disorder and back disorder were not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disease and left knee degenerative arthritis, but the case is remanded for further development on other issues.,Additional search efforts are needed to obtain missing October 1987 to March 1988 ACDUTRA STRs. The Veteran should be notified of these efforts and given an opportunity to submit alternative evidence.