Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, sinusitis, chronic dry eye disability, right wrist and left wrist disabilities, right hand tendonitis, left hand tendonitis, left foot disability, right great toe bunion, left foot bunions, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's service connection claim for restless leg syndrome was denied. For the period prior to September 20, 2019, his thoracolumbar degenerative disc and joint disease was granted a 20% rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a back disorder, finding that the additional disability was not caused by carelessness, negligence, lack of skill or similar incidence of fault on the part of VA personnel.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and additional examination. The Veteran's disabilities are related to military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and a fracture of the right little finger, to include post-traumatic arthritis. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for tinnitus and low back arthralgia, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence to support these conditions being related to his military service. The claim for bilateral knee disorder is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected low back disability, finding that the evidence did not show forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, ankylosis, or incapacitating episodes requiring bed rest prescribed by a physician.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a temporary total rating for convalescence following medical procedures and surgery from December 11, 2009 to January 6, 2010, and from September 13, 2013 to February 25, 2016.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is rated at 30 percent, effective from February 25, 2021. The left upper extremity radiculopathy is also rated at 30 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and left leg disabilities due to insufficient medical opinion regarding aggravation of pre-existing conditions during service.

The Board has denied service connection for a back disorder and remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for higher special monthly compensation (SMC) is denied because the evidence does not show he has any other disabilities or symptoms that would warrant a higher level of SMC.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle and right knee disabilities are related to service, but his low back disability and headache disability have not been established as being related to service. The claims for these conditions are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a higher initial rating of 70 percent prior to November 24, 2015. A TDIU was also granted for the same period.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for left ear hearing loss and lumbar spine disability due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran needs to provide VA medical records, an audiological examination, and a physical examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disability picture prevents him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and occupational background.

The Board has denied service connection for Multiple Sclerosis, finding that the evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines and low back disability prevented her from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to October 12, 2020.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for a TDIU from March 16, 2010, to June 17, 2013. The adverse symptomatology caused by his service-connected conditions were both contemplated and considered in the rating schedule.