Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability from August 30, 2016, finding that the evidence did not support ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Board has granted service connection for semi, anterior vertebral lumbar fusion of L3-L4 with degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that these conditions are related to injuries sustained during active duty service.

Your claims for increased ratings have been dismissed as the Veteran requested withdrawal of these claims before a decision was made.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various joint disabilities, including back, wrist, and elbow conditions. The appeals are based on his service in Southwest Asia during Operation Desert Storm. Further medical evaluation is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his Gulf War service.

The Veteran's urethral stricture, right heel disorder, and lumbar spine disorder have been granted ratings. The urethral stricture is rated at 10%, the right heel disorder at 10%, and the lumbar spine disorder from February 6, 2020, at 20%. The Veteran's request for a higher rating on his right great toe disorder was denied.

The Veteran's initial claims for increased ratings for his low back disability and associated radiculopathy have been denied. The Board has also remanded the Veteran’s claim for increases in the “staged” ratings for PTSD.,PTSD is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, effective May 15, 2019.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for cardiovascular conditions, low back condition, type II diabetes mellitus, and schizophrenia due to insufficient medical nexus evidence. The Veteran contends these conditions are secondary to his service-connected substance abuse disorder.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's low back injury with scoliosis and degenerative changes of thoracic spine from March 15, 2009 to December 17, 2019. The issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for hiatal hernia is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disease, finding that there was no evidence of a link between his current condition and his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, back disability, bilateral hearing loss with loss of balance, and hypertension have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back disability, but has remanded the issue of service connection for a right thigh/hip disability due to potential in-service hip/thigh symptoms and possible aggravation by his now service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or following gainful employment prior to March 31, 2015. Therefore, the effective date for TDIU is denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for lower back disability, right ankle disability, left knee osteoarthritis, status post meniscectomy of the right knee, and degenerative joint disease of the right knee. The Veteran was also referred for a TDIU claim.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU have been dismissed as he has withdrawn all remaining issues associated with the appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his musculoskeletal disabilities due to incomplete records. The Veteran is required to provide information about any private healthcare providers who have treated him.

The Board denied service connection for low back, neck, bilateral hip, right knee, and pelvis injuries sustained during active service. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims of in-service onset or causation.,Service connection was granted for TBI residuals, migraine headaches, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus on a lay basis.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the cases of herniated muscle in right calf and low back injury due to insufficient evidence.

For the rating period from January 14, 2008 to January 23, 2009, an increased disability rating in excess of 20 percent for the lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes (lumbar spine disability) is denied.,For the rating period from January 23, 2009 forward, an increased disability rating in excess of 40 percent for the lumbar spine disability is denied.,A higher initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy is denied.,A higher initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and VA compensation benefits due to a lack of qualifying service prior to his discharge being changed from Under Other Than Honorable Conditions to honorable in August 2016.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) due to insufficient medical opinions. The Veteran's current disabilities are not shown to be related to his military service.