Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, lumbar disc herniation, and left knee patellofemoral syndrome, do not render him unemployable prior to February 5, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed for the issue of a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee arthroscopy. The claim for PTSD was reopened, but service connection remains remanded due to insufficient evidence. Service connection for low back and right ankle conditions is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, ankylosis, loss of use, or incapacitating episodes during the appellate period.

The appeal for service connection of degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine has been dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran has withdrawn their appeals regarding the issues of a higher initial disability rating for service-connected lumbar spine disability, an increased disability rating for PTSD in excess of 30 percent prior to June 27, 2016, and in excess of 50 percent from June 27, 2016 through February 25, 2018, and an increased (compensable) disability rating for service-connected right ankle scarring.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete medical opinions and other issues. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, spine disabilities, and bilateral leg numbness are all being reviewed again.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for cervical strain with degenerative disc disease is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for acid reflux and ulcerative colitis/inflammatory bowel disease are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion in a previous decision, requiring further examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and cervical spine degenerative disc disease were granted service connection. However, the increased ratings for his cervical spine disability prior to January 25, 2020, are granted with a 20% rating, while those from that date onwards are denied. The Veteran's radiculopathy issues remain under review.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, left knee disability, and left toe disability due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations. The Veteran's service connection claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and left knee disability are rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted for either condition.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The issues of service connection for a back disability, increased ratings for keloid scars and hemorrhoids, and an effective date for cardiomyopathy with congestive heart failure have become moot.

The Board has decided to remand three issues: the rating for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, the rating for lumbar DDD, and service connection for a respiratory disability other than allergic rhinitis. The Veteran will need additional examinations and evidence to determine these matters.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal and lumbar spine disabilities were denied service connection as they are not related to his military service.

Your service connection claims for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and lumbar spine radiculopathy with bilateral sciatic nerve involvement have been granted. The appeal is dismissed as these issues are no longer in dispute.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his in-service injury. The Board also denied service connection for left hand and shoulder disabilities due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.,Service connection was denied as there was no credible evidence linking the Veteran’s current lumbar spine disability, left hand disability, or left shoulder disability to his military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy are granted service connection. The right knee MCL laxity is denied.,TDIU benefits for service-connected disabilities are granted from October 7, 2012.

The Veteran was found to be unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected back and heart disabilities prior to August 18, 2009.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability as secondary to his service-connected knee disabilities, finding that obesity is not an intermediate step between these conditions and the claimed low back disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine disability and respiratory disability due to service in the Persian Gulf War. The VA examinations provided inadequate opinions, and more development is needed.