Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to inadequate reasons and bases provided by the Board in its previous decision. Further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination, is required.

The Board denied service connection for an allergic rash disability, a left knee disability (no cartilage), and a back disability, to include a herniated disc. The Veteran's claim for a left foot disability was remanded.,Service connection was not granted for any of the conditions due to lack of current evidence of a disability proximate to the claim or during the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability is granted a 20 percent rating, effective from October 1, 1993. The right foot hallux valgus remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and cervical spine, finding that the current disability ratings adequately reflect the severity of his conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since September 2010.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased SMC rates are denied. The Board found that the criteria for these benefits were not met due to lack of legal basis or evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of her left hip, ankle, and back conditions due to inadequate examinations in June 2019. The issues include determining whether these conditions are related to active service or secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and medical opinions are needed to properly assess the Veteran's service-connected conditions, as well as to determine if there is a relationship between his current disabilities and active service. The claims for increased ratings and service connection will be remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's back disability was aggravated by service or incurred during service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development and review of new evidence before a final decision can be made.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability prior to June 2, 2009 as there is no evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities alone rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connection due to in-service noise exposure.,The Veteran's back disability is granted as service connection due to an in-service motor vehicle accident (MVA).,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, is granted as service connection due to military sexual trauma during active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain disability is currently rated at 10 percent, which reflects the current functional impairment. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as the evidence does not support an increase in disability beyond what is already reflected by the current 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's right shoulder disorder is related to a service-connected disability, while other joint disorders are not. Service connection for the cervical spine and low back disorders remains denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at a maximum of 40 percent, effective September 19, 2016.,Hypertension was granted as service-connected.

The Board has revised the combined disability rating from 60% to 50% for the period from January 1, 2012 to February 29, 2016 due to legal error in the original decision.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the Veteran's disabilities did not have their onset in service or within one year of his discharge from active service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his right ankle and back disabilities has been dismissed as he requested the withdrawal of these claims.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for low back, right knee, and left knee disabilities.

Service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine has been granted.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include as secondary to a lumbar spine disorder, has also been granted.