Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease and degenerative changes with stenosis, finding that the current condition is not related to service due to lack of evidence showing chronicity or a link between in-service injuries and the current disability.

The Veteran's claims for separate ratings for diabetes mellitus, type II, and erectile dysfunction are dismissed. The claim for service connection for herniated nucleus pulpous with spinal stenosis is denied. The claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and diabetes mellitus type II are remanded. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, finding that it was aggravated during active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, and epidermal inclusion cysts on back disabilities. The claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability was granted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and cervical spine condition are both remanded for further examination and opinion. The rating for the lumbar spine disability is also remanded.

The Veteran's low back disorder is rated at 20 percent, and his bilateral knee replacements are each rated at 60 percent. The appeal for a higher rating for the low back disorder was denied, as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or ankylosis. The ratings for the bilateral knees remain unchanged.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 20 percent, and her radiculopathy of the right lower extremity was initially granted a 10 percent rating before February 5, 2014. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating after that date remains pending.

Service connection is granted for low back disability and bilateral lower extremity neurological disability.,Service connection is remanded for a bilateral shoulder disability.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine has full range of motion and is not service-connected.,The Veteran's right wrist symptomatology has most nearly approximated painful motion, which warrants a 10% rating under Diagnostic Code 5215. The left wrist also has painful motion, warranting a separate 10% rating.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left lower extremity radiculopathy, left hip disability, and abnormal gait have been granted. The issue of a higher rating for the lumbar spine disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disability, and to obtain private medical records for a comprehensive examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his back disability from April 16, 2013 was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the case for further evidentiary development due to new and material evidence being associated with the claims file since the most recent final denial of service connection for a low back disability in September 2015. The Veteran's contentions regarding in-service events/injuries (unloading and carrying heavy items causing strain) are sufficient to raise a possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there is no evidence of chronic in-service injury or disease and no established link between current symptoms and service. The Board also found that continuity of symptomatology was not shown.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder is being reconsidered due to new evidence. The TBI rating remains at 10 percent, and the nasal fracture and lumbar spine disability ratings are also remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and chronic headache disability are granted as service-connected due to in-service herbicide exposure.,Bladder cancer is denied as there is no evidence of the condition during or within one year after separation from active service. Peripheral neuropathy is also denied based on lack of evidence of onset during service or within a year post-separation.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding various disabilities as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Board has granted service connection for thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine condition.

The Veteran's right lateral epicondylitis and GERD have been granted increased disability evaluations, while the other conditions remain at their current non-compensable ratings.