Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, finding that there was not enough evidence to establish a link between his current condition and military service or a service-connected right knee disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found no evidence of current right ear hearing loss, and the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss under VA regulations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral foot disability, hypertension, lumbar spine disability, and sleep disorder due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a left wrist strain and low back disorder, finding that the evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or chronic condition.,Service connection was also denied for sinusitis. The case is now REMANDED for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for status post lumbar spine surgery and right and left lumbar radiculopathy as secondary to the now service-connected status post lumbar spine surgery, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his active duty.

The Veteran's claims for clothing allowances due to back and knee braces were denied as the evidence did not show that the braces caused abnormal wear and tear on his clothing.

Service connection for a left wrist strain and lumbosacral strain is granted.,An initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, and service connection for migraines are to be reconsidered.

The Board has granted service connection for hemorrhoids and denied service connection for low back condition and cervical spine condition. Service connection is granted for the gastrointestinal disorder other than GERD, but not for the low back or cervical spine conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination to determine if service connection can be granted for various disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, upper respiratory disability, TBI, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and disability ratings have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of all active appeals.

The Veteran's lumbar disability is rated at 40 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The initial ratings for left lower extremity radiculopathy and left knee disability are denied.

The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to service-connected disabilities was established since May 25, 2016. The Board granted special monthly compensation based on this need.

The Board has denied service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability, claimed as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's left knee and bilateral hip disabilities, both of which are also claimed as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, effective from August 28, 2015 and November 30, 2020. The decision is based on findings that the Veteran’s symptoms more nearly approximate forward flexion of 30 degrees or less throughout the appeal period.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for schizophrenia, a cervical spine disability, a lumbar spine disability, hearing loss, and PTSD. The claim for service connection for gout remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his back disability was denied, but he was granted a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The Board found that the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine or at least 6 weeks of incapacitating episodes.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to outstanding treatment records and a need for a VA examination to clarify the diagnosis of the Veteran's back disability and its etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates due to missing records from November 1973 to January 1992. The claims are inextricably intertwined with the lumbar disability claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is related to service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his low back disability was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew all remaining issues associated with this appeal.