Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and hypertension, including secondary to PTSD. The Veteran's current conditions were not shown as chronic in service or within a presumptive period, and continuity of symptomatology was not established.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disorder, as it is unclear if the etiological opinion provided was based on an accurate factual premise and lacks sufficient analysis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound status, thus his claim for special monthly compensation is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a lower back disorder and denied service connection for tinnitus. The lower back disorder is related to an in-service injury, while the tinnitus is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident during service.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, scoliosis, and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities are all granted as service-connected. The initial rating for complex regional pain syndrome is increased to 40 percent.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability resulted in a temporary total evaluation from August 11, 2016 to March 1, 2017.,Service connection for tinnitus was granted based on the Veteran's reported noise exposure during service.

The Board has withdrawn the claims of service connection for urticaria and angioedema. The issues of service connection for lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder/anxiety/PTSD), TBI (head injury), right ankle disorder, erectile dysfunction (ED), chronic pain syndrome, hypertension, digestive disorder, and sleep disorder have been remanded due to the submission of new and material evidence.

The Board denied service connection for lumbosacral strain and acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a causal relationship to service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 10% prior to October 26, 2019 and at 20% since then. The Board has remanded the case for further development.

The Veteran's postgastrectomy syndrome is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's thoracic spine strain (low back condition) is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was denied a higher rating prior to January 8, 2014. The right knee scar was also denied an initial compensable rating.,Prior to January 8, 2014, the Veteran's lumbar spine disability did not meet the criteria for a higher than 20 percent rating due to limited flexion. As of January 8, 2014, his disability warranted a 40 percent rating based on pain and functional loss.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of low back disorder, left elbow disorder, and right knee disorder have been dismissed as the appeal has been withdrawn.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, residuals of calcaneus stress fracture, left foot, ED, hypogeusia (loss of smell), lumbar L-5 spondylolysis, and sciatic radicular pain, RLE.,The issues of entitlement to service connection for ED, including as due to service-connected disability; hypogeusia (loss of smell); lumbar L-5 spondylolysis; and sciatic radicular pain, RLE are remanded.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims for various disabilities, including elbow, cervical spine, thoracic spine, wrist, hip, knee, bronchitis, and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for several claims, including the restoration of a left knee rating, increased ratings for right-hand fingers, and service connection for additional lumbar spine disabilities. The issues are remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with these other claims.

The Board has remanded the case for referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities substantially impairing his ability to work.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and lumbar spine disorder due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has remanded multiple service connection claims due to insufficient evidence or conflicting opinions, including arthritis, back disorder, cervical spine disorder, neurological disorder of the right upper extremity, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, residuals of a heat stroke, and headaches.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and right knee disabilities are service-connected, with no specific date provided.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that there was no evidence of a disease or injury in service and insufficient medical opinion to establish a nexus between current disability and service.