Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's thoracic and cervical spine DDD are granted as service connected. The Veteran's headaches, which are secondary to the spinal conditions, are also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected lumbar spine herniated disc and a rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected radiculopathy of the right lower extremity due to inadequate development.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine arthritis and right knee osteoarthritis, finding that there was no evidence of chronicity since service or any severe injuries during service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service-connected right femoral neck fracture and surgery does not aggravate his claimed DJD of the lumbar spine. The case is being remanded for further examination to address this issue.

The Board has decided that service connection for a liver cyst is denied, and the low back disability claim is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the nature and etiology of his service-connected conditions, including back disorder, knee disorders, CAD, and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for service-connected dermatitis, service connection for a low back disability, and service connection for bilateral knee disabilities due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claims for right hand fifth finger, hypothyroidism, varicose veins, fibromyalgia, arthritis, and lumbar disability have been remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions. The Board requests additional examination and opinion from qualified medical professionals.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and lack of private treatment records, requiring a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were partially granted, with a separate 10 percent rating for right knee instability and a remand for further development on the remaining issues. The lumbar spine disability claim was not addressed as it did not involve service connection.

The Veteran's cluster headaches were not incurred in service and are denied.,The Veteran's lower back condition is etiologically related to his military service and is granted.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death, and the appeal was not valid as it did not follow the proper procedures for legacy system appeals.

The Veteran's claim for a rating of 60 percent from March 29, 2017 to November 25, 2019 for asbestosis has been granted. The effective date is set at the date of claim or the date entitlement arose, whichever is later.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine was previously rated at 40 percent, but this rating was reduced to 20 percent. The Board has restored the 40 percent rating effective October 1, 2019.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there was no evidence of a direct link to service or any other presumptive basis. The examiner concluded that the low back condition did not have its onset in service and is not related to any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has vacated its August 17, 2020 decision and remanded the cases for further development to obtain all service hospital records.

The Board has dismissed appeals for ratings on lumbar spine spondylosis and bilateral pes planus, and the appeal as to TDIU is moot. The Veteran's PTSD rating remains at 100% effective December 10, 2015. The case is remanded for further development regarding a higher rating for PTSD prior to that date.

The Board denied a higher rating for the Veteran's service-connected back disability, finding that her symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation based on limitation of motion or ankylosis.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his obesity, which is a risk factor for sleep apnea. The examiner needs to provide an opinion on this matter.

The Board has decided that the VA examinations performed in December 2019 regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions are inadequate. The examination did not consider all periods of active duty service and all associated STRs. Therefore, the case is being remanded for further action.