Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's upper back disability is etiologically related to his active service and grants entitlement to service connection.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, and numbness of the hands disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has referred the issues of service connection for various disabilities to the AOJ for adjudication. The AOJ must address these intertwined claims before determining whether the appellant can be considered a veteran.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for postoperative scar, lumbar spine and lumbar radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran's postoperative scar did not meet criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7805. For his lumbar radiculopathy, the Board determined that the evidence did not support ratings higher than 40 percent after January 28, 2021.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current back disability and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for gout, PTSD, right knee disability, left knee disability, erectile dysfunction, and higher ratings for lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and residuals of TBI have all been denied. The Board found that there was no evidence linking any current conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine was denied as his disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient rationale in the VA examination reports and failure to consider his lay statements regarding the onset of his symptoms.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the issues of service connection for various disabilities, including back disability, acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus, Type II, left hip disability, right hip disability, right knee disability, diverticulitis, sepsis, residuals of breast cancer, status post double breast mastectomy, and mastectomy scars. The Veteran's representative has requested that the VA examine her for these conditions to determine their relationship with her service-connected total hysterectomy, removal of uterus and both ovaries.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and multiple radiculopathies, have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment since March 9, 2017.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent for the entire period on appeal, effective October 14, 2010.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent since November 13, 2006 and higher ratings are denied.,Separate 40 percent ratings for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted effective June 3, 2011, with even higher 60 percent ratings since May 20, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for clarification regarding whether the Veteran's discitis with osteomyelitis is related to her service-connected residuals of compression fracture L3, with post traumatic DJD and lumbosacral strain. The examiner should also determine if the Veteran requires aid and attendance or is housebound.

The Board has denied service connection for a mental disorder, but has remanded the issues of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, scars, and a skin disorder. The Veteran's claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including skin condition, lumbar spine disability, wrist and thumb disabilities, foot disabilities, ankle disabilities, and knee disabilities. The AOJ is instructed to obtain new medical opinions regarding the nature of the Veteran's treatment for his skin condition, etiology of his back and bilateral hand conditions, etiology of his foot and ankle conditions, and etiology of his bilateral knee conditions.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than April 10, 2018 for the grant of service connection for various conditions have been denied.,Effective dates cannot be established before the date of separation from active duty or the date entitlement arose if within one year.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable, and the Board granted a TDIU for the period from February 20, 2008 until July 15, 2010.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete or insufficient examinations, and because the issues are inextricably intertwined with the cervical spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient range of motion estimates and functional loss assessment in the VA addendum opinion. A new addendum opinion from an orthopedic specialist is needed.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied.