Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to August 3, 2020, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar scoliosis with degenerative joint disease resulted in functional equivalent of unfavorable ankylosis, warranting a 50% rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to January 15, 2014 did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU rating.

The Board has denied service connection for back and neck disabilities, finding that the evidence does not support a link between these conditions and events or injuries during active service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability, previously claimed as an upper back problem, is being remanded due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board will consider whether his current symptoms are related to service, including the August 1967 incident where he was struck in the back with a pallet.

The Board has found that a remand is necessary to determine the Veteran's actual range of motion during his July 2018 VA examination, as this could impact his entitlement to an increased rating for his spine condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding her low back condition, entitlement to TDIU, and increased ratings for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with IVDS is granted an initial evaluation of 20 percent, but not higher, from December 17, 2014 to December 2, 2019.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine disability did not have its onset during active service, was not caused by a disease or injury incurred in service, and arthritis did not manifest within one year after service discharge.,Similarly, the Board determined that the Veteran's low back disability did not have its onset during active service, was not caused by a disease or injury incurred in service, and arthritis did not manifest within one year after service discharge.,The Board also found that the Veteran's right knee disability did not have its onset during active service, was not caused by a disease or injury incurred in service, and arthritis did not manifest within one year after service discharge.,Regarding COPD, the Board concluded that it did not have its onset during active service and was not caused by a disease or injury incurred in service.,The Veteran's neuropathy of the right upper extremity (claimed as numbness of the right hand) and neuropathy of the left upper extremity (claimed as numbness of the left hand) were also found to have no onset during active service, be unrelated to any disease or injury incurred in service, and not manifest within one year after service discharge.

The Veteran's pes planus and lumbar spine disability are rated at 40% each. The Board has ordered a remand for further examination to determine if the Veteran meets criteria for an earlier effective date or higher rating.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 10 percent prior to January 15, 2015. The VA examiner found limited forward flexion of the spine (80 degrees) with pain and no ankylosis or severe guarding.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various foot, back, left knee, and right shoulder disabilities due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was initially rated at 10 percent prior to December 9, 2015. From that date forward, the Veteran is now granted a 40 percent rating for his lumbar degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS).

The Board has dismissed the appeals for entitlement to increased ratings and service connection for left shoulder disabilities, cervical spine disability, and thoracolumbar spine disability due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine was denied as he does not have unfavorable ankylosis, and there are no other neurological manifestations warranting separate ratings.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the left tonsil and a back disorder, both related to herbicide agent exposure. Additional medical opinions are needed to determine if these conditions are at least as likely as not caused by military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability had its onset during service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and need for further development. The issues include lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, shoulder disabilities, peripheral neuropathy, alcohol use disorder, GERD, and erectile dysfunction.