Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability pre-existed his period of active service and was not aggravated by service, thus denying service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The claim of entitlement to service connection for residual hernia surgery scars and right ear condition is granted. The claims of entitlement to service connection for low back, right knee, and left knee conditions are denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a ruptured lumbar disc and right knee disability, as well as his claims for bilateral hearing loss and hip condition. The issues of service connection for these conditions have been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for hemorrhoids was denied. The claims of service connection for a low back disability and a psychiatric disorder were remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected lumbar strain was denied as the condition does not meet the criteria for an increased rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 20 percent prior to November 27, 2020 and 40 percent since then. The Board found no evidence of ankylosis or additional neurological findings warranting higher ratings. The issues remanded include service connection for psychiatric disabilities and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions. The issues of service connection for various knee, back, and shoulder disorders are being remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU appeal is granted. The issue of service connection for left ear hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's initial increased rating claim for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with IVDS was dismissed, while his PTSD claim and TDIU claim were both granted.,For the appeal period prior to April 8, 2014, the Veteran received a 70 percent rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, hernia residuals, lumbar spine DDD, sciatic radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities are all remanded due to incomplete development. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD and low back sprain have been granted initial maximum ratings of 100 percent each, effective from the date of the March 2014 rating decision.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient reasoning in its previous decision and the need for a retrospective medical opinion regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability prior to August 13, 2018.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected, but has remanded for further examination and development regarding her low back disability, acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and heart disability claims.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities. The Veteran's psychiatric condition is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to his service-connected spinal conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and a right hip disability, both secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left hip disability.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's thoracolumbar strain (low back disability) as it did not meet the criteria for a higher than 20 percent evaluation.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that it is as likely as not related to his military service and specifically to his service-connected left knee disability. The decision resolves doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient proof of actual herbicide exposure. The Veteran's multiple myeloma and other disabilities are being reviewed again, with a request for an addendum opinion from the January 2018 VA examiner regarding the relationship between his lumbar spine disability and treatment for multiple myeloma.

The Board has granted service connection for back disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder. The Veteran's current diagnoses of scoliosis, spondylosis, and bilateral knee strain are considered in determining the relationship to service.,Service connection is denied for an intestinal disorder as there is no current diagnosis.