Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy associated with degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine (claimed as bilateral hip and thigh condition), and bilateral knee disability, all proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20% and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities are each rated at 20%. The left knee instability is also granted a 20% rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection as his current back conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis and scoliosis of the lumbar spine as secondary to a right knee condition. The rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee ACL and medial and lateral meniscus repair with DJD is still pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and neck disabilities, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability has been dismissed as moot because the issue was resolved in favor of the Veteran with the grant of service connection.

The Board dismissed all appeals related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including an increased rating for lumbar spondylosis and entitlement to earlier effective date. The Veteran also had a TDIU appeal that was dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and dismissed the claim of service connection for a cervical spine disability.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including TBI, low back disability, knee and shoulder disabilities, nerve damage of upper extremities, urticaria, allergic rhinitis, chronic diarrhea, and left ear hearing loss. The Veteran will need new examinations for these conditions.

The Veteran's initial and increased ratings for lumbar spine disability are denied, with separate ratings granted for right lower extremity radiculopathies.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the record, specifically regarding a May 2007 VA spine examination used to rate the Veteran's low back disability prior to April 7, 2008. The Court directed the Board to obtain a retrospective medical opinion with regard to the question of functional loss during the Veteran's reported flare-ups.

The Veteran's right ankle strain with achilles tendonitis of the right heel, chronic lumbar strain and degenerative disc disease, lipoma of the lower back, chondromalacia of the right knee, chondromalacia of the left knee, and corneal scar and endothelial pigmentation of the right eye have been granted effective January 1, 1996. The Veteran's claim for lateral collateral ligament strain of the left ankle was dismissed as moot. The Veteran's claim for achilles tendonitis of the left heel associated with left ankle disability is denied.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.,New VA examinations are required to assess the severity of his service-connected bilateral tendinitis of the hamstrings and bilateral bicipital tendonitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability had its onset during service and is granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for low back and neck disabilities, as well as secondary service connection for bilateral leg and hand disabilities. The remand is due to deficiencies in the June 2014 VA medical opinion that did not adequately address the Veteran's lay statements of continuous symptoms since service.

The Veteran's back disability, characterized as lumbosacral strain, degenerative disc disease, degenerative arthritis, and IVDS, was rated at 40 percent from February 11, 2013 to January 11, 2015. The Board found that the evidence did not show ankylosis or incapacitating episodes requiring bed rest prescribed by a physician during this period.

The Board has remanded the cases due to failure to discuss material evidence and apply it to the appellant's claim, as well as for additional proceedings.

The Board has denied service connection for a bilateral hand disability, low back disability, chronic sinusitis and obstructive sleep apnea. The claims of service connection for the low back disability, chronic sinusitis and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as her service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria and the preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that they are severe enough to prevent her from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with the VA examinations and other claims. The Veteran's service connection for left hip disability is no longer before the Board as it was granted in a previous decision. The increased rating claims for right thumb and lumbar spine disabilities are also being remanded.