Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has denied service connection for back disorder, left sciatica, and left hip disorder as there is no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service or his service-connected left ankle arthritis with tendinosis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left shoulder and back disabilities, as well as entitlement to a TDIU, are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports.,A VA medical opinion is needed regarding the nature of the Veteran's DDD and LLE disabilities and their relationship to his service-connected back disability.

The Board denied ratings in excess of 20 percent for a back disability and denied ratings in excess of 10 percent for left elbow disabilities at all times during the appeal.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that her combined rating of 70% or more makes it at least as likely as not that she is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for residuals of a low back injury with degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is denied as his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating based on limitation of motion or functional loss.

The Veteran's appeal of a compensable rating for a back scar was withdrawn. A 20 percent rating, but no more, was granted for lumbar DDD prior to December 9, 2014 and March 27, 2017. The claim for a higher rating since March 27, 2017 is denied. Service connection for insomnia is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding service connection for lumbosacral strain. The right foot and left foot disabilities are denied as there is no current evidence of a disability or relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development regarding his exposure to hazardous substances at Fort McClellan, Alabama. The claims will be further developed and readjudicated.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability evaluation for degenerative joint and disc disease was denied. The Board found that the Veteran met the criteria for a 20 percent disability evaluation from November 30, 2009 to July 28, 2021, but not for a rating in excess of 40 percent since July 28, 2021.

The Board has denied service connection for a lower back disorder, finding that the Veteran's current degenerative arthritis of the spine is not related to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, thus denying his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of his service-connected degenerative facet joint disease, lumbosacral spine and L5-S1 was dismissed as the authorized representative withdrew the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The appeal seeking to reopen claims for low back condition, head and seizure disorder, and left leg condition is granted. The appeals seeking service connection for acquired psychiatric condition, low back condition, and head and seizure disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted a 40 percent rating from April 4, 2016 to September 18, 2018. Ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are denied. TDIU is granted as of April 4, 2016.

The Veteran's hepatitis C and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease are granted as service connected. The Veteran's PTSD is granted but the rating for PTSD remains at 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a low back disorder due to disagreement with the April 2019 decision denying it on the merits. The Veteran's attorney argued that the July 2020 medical opinion was not adequate, and requested an examination from a qualified doctor specializing in orthopedic spine diseases and injuries.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown to be related to service, as there is no evidence of chronic symptoms during or immediately after service. The Board finds that the current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are less likely caused by in-service noise exposure.,The Veteran's degenerative changes of the right shoulder had onset in service and has been continuously present since then.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating greater than 30 percent for PTSD prior to February 10, 2016 was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not show occupational and social impairment warranting such a higher rating during this period.,The appeals for service connection for low back disorder, migraine headaches, and chest pains radiating to left arm were also REMANDED as additional development is required.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right shoulder, left elbow, and right hand disabilities due to insufficient development in prior examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and treatment records.