Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability, as secondary to service-connected gouty arthritis and/or chip fracture residuals. The case is returned for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial rating of 50 percent, effective June 19, 2015. The low back disability issue was remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition, finding that there was no evidence showing that his current spinal abnormality began during or within one year of active duty and was not caused by any aspect of active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and an initial 10% rating for cervical spondylosis with right upper extremity paresthesias.,However, the issue of an initial disability rating in excess of 10% for cervical spondylosis with right upper extremity paresthesias is being remanded.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 40 percent, and a higher rating is denied.,The Veteran does not meet the auditory threshold criteria for right ear hearing loss for service connection purposes.,There is no evidence of chronic bronchitis during or within one year after service. Service connection for bronchitis is denied.,No in-service knee, shoulder, or back disability was found. Service connection for these disabilities is denied.,The Veteran's fibromyalgia is already service connected and does not preclude the granting of separate ratings for other joint conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted starting from December 4, 2019, due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's cervical spine disability, but granted a 20 percent rating for his lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease as of July 18, 2019. The Veteran is currently rated at 20 percent for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased compensation, service connection, and to reopen a previously denied claim are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee meniscal tear, finding that the condition likely occurred during the Appellant's period of active duty training in July 2009. Service connection was denied for a back disability due to lack of evidence linking it to any period of active duty or ACDUTRA.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of an in-service cytological procedure of the low back, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability and that the Veteran did not experience functional impairment due to his claimed condition.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a low back disability due to incomplete records and further development is needed.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private chiropractic records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's back disability is rated under various criteria since May 29, 2003.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disability, finding that his pre-existing condition clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and vertigo, but has remanded the cases of neck disability and skin condition due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including clarification of his military service and a VA opinion addressing the relationship between his back disorder and his right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate August 2018 VA examination and opinion, which did not adequately address the Veteran's reports of continuous back pain since his in-service injury. The claim is now pending for further adjudication with a new VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability (Osgood-Schlatter’s Disease) and a lumbar spine disability, finding that his pre-existing conditions did not worsen during service and were not related to any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss, back disability, and tinnitus) prevent him from securing and following a substantial gainful occupation. The Board has granted an extraschedular TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for a cervical spine disorder and residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI) to include a headache disorder, as well as the SMC and SMP claims. The issues are being remanded due to conflicting opinions regarding whether the Veteran's falls were caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis prior to August 23, 2011. The evidence did not establish that his service-connected conditions alone rendered him incapable of obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment during this period.