Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board dismissed the appeal for an increased rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative joint disease, lumbosacral spine as the appellant requested to withdraw his appeal.

The Board has denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to his service. The appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding a right ring finger disability.,A right ring finger injury sustained during active duty in 2003 is noted in the STRs, but no current right ring finger disability has been diagnosed. The Veteran's claim of a current right ring finger disability must be addressed.

The Board denied service connection for a low back condition, finding that the Veteran's current disability did not originate during service and was not caused by any in-service event, injury, disease, or disorder.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed low back disability, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of the record, including VA treatment records since February 2020 and an additional examination by an orthopedic surgeon.

The Veteran's lumbar condition was granted a disability rating of 40 percent, effective from various dates throughout the appeal period. His right and left lower extremity radiculopathy were also granted initial disability ratings of 20 percent.

The Board has found the January 2017 VA examination inadequate for adjudicative purposes and remanded several issues related to service connection. The Veteran's claims are now being returned for further development.

The Veteran's initial rating for his service-connected back disability prior to November 25, 2019 and in excess of 20 percent from that date is denied. The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis was granted service connection but remains at a 20% rating.

The Veteran's restoration of a 40 percent evaluation for lumbar spine strain from May 1, 2021 is denied.,A rating higher than 40 percent prior to May 1, 2021, and higher than 20 percent thereafter for the same condition is also denied.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is remanded.

The Board has found that there is not enough evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection of low back disability, bilateral ankle disability, migraines, chronic fatigue syndrome, and neurological disability. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's lumbosacral degenerative arthritis is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a retrospective medical opinion and VA treatment records. The issue of entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the claim regarding increased disability ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee disorders, but has remanded the issue of service connection for a low back disorder due to bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve were denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues regarding the Veteran's back disorder, including whether it is related to his military service and if it is secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee and foot disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to July 27, 2015 did not prevent her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and upper back disability are not due to his active-duty service. The claims have been denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's knee and back disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and other disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.,Service connection was not granted for any of the claimed disabilities due to lack of medical evidence showing a relationship with service.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is now rated at 40% effective September 10, 2020. Other conditions have been denied or remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for a rating of 20 percent for spondylosis at L5 with degenerative joint disease and intervertebral disc syndrome is dismissed. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.