Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's service treatment records and to clarify his reported in-service hospitalization. The claims for service connection are therefore being remanded.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve of the left lower extremity and lumbar disc disease were denied as they do not warrant a rating higher than 40 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining any form of gainful employment consistent with his work and education background.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was rated at a maximum of 50% from September 12, 2012 onwards. The lumbar spine condition and right tibia and fibula fracture were remanded for further evaluation.,Accrued benefits ratings for the Veteran’s conditions are pending resolution of the issues on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including strain, intervertebral disc syndrome, and degenerative joint disease, is at least as likely as not related to his in-service fall during MOUT training. As such, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate examination findings regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disorder, specifically concerning flare-ups and pain during those flare-ups.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition has been reopened, and the Board has granted service connection. The issue of service connection for keratoconus is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, lumbosacral strain, bilateral shoulder strain, and left hand disability manifested by pain. The Veteran's continuous back, bilateral shoulder, and left hand pain symptoms since separation from service are considered.,Service connection is also granted for the aggravation of a pre-existing bilateral pes planus.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and total disability based on individual unemployability due to an inadequate medical opinion in the original decision. A new examination by a specialist is required.

The Veteran's rating for his lumbosacral spine disability was increased to 20 percent from December 17, 2019 to October 27, 2020. The appeal is denied for a higher rating thereafter.

The Board denied dependency and indemnity compensation based on service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there is no evidence to support a relationship between his service-connected disabilities (back, lower extremity radiculopathy, hearing loss, tinnitus) and his death from myocardial infarction.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, finding that it is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to new evidence added to his file after a July 2020 SSOC. The RO must consider this additional evidence in its initial review.

The Board has granted service connection for right ankle, left ankle, right knee, left knee, and lumbar spine disabilities. The Veteran's symptoms of these conditions were present in service and have continued since then.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence and testimony presented during her hearing. The issues of left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, low back disability, and carpal tunnel syndrome (bilateral upper extremities) are being addressed on the merits.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, left knee disability manifested by pain, right knee strain, and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety, depressed mood and sleep disturbance. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible testimony regarding his in-service experiences and ongoing symptoms.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine fusion is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum available rating under Diagnostic Code 5241. The appeal for a higher initial evaluation has been denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete records from Kincheloe Air Force Base.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including headaches, knee conditions, and back issues. The Board has ordered new examinations to assess the current severity of these conditions due to a possible material change in the Veteran’s disability.

The Board denied service connection for back disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) as the evidence did not show a link between these conditions and military service.