Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's multiple nonservice-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating, as none of them individually or in combination are rated at least 40% disabling. The Board finds that he is not unemployable due to his conditions prior to June 15, 2018.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if service connection can be established for back disability and right shoulder disability.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension but has remanded the issue of service connection for a back disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding service connection claims and rating issues. Specifically, the Veteran needs a new VA examination to address his claimed back disability and sleep disorder, as well as an initial rating for his right elbow conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed back, left knee, and right hip disabilities are not related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his plantar wart, left foot 4th metatarsal was denied as the evidence did not show symptoms more nearly approximating moderately severe other foot injuries.,The Board found no current diagnosis of a thoracolumbar spine condition and concluded that any back pain experienced by the Veteran was due to his hip condition (meralgia paresthetica). Therefore, service connection for a thoracolumbar spine condition was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, but denied service connection for a right ankle disability. The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability is at least as likely as not related to his military service and denied the claim of a right ankle disability due to lack of evidence showing it was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for his DDD of the thoracolumbar spine was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence showing flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, which would warrant a higher rating under the General Rating Formula.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with IVDS, herniated disc of L5-S1, and arthritis is currently rated at 40 percent from September 16, 2020. The Board denied a higher rating for the condition.

The Board has denied service connection for a low back condition and remanded the issue of a compensable rating for rhinitis.

The Board has remanded the cases of hypertension, left knee disability, and chronic low back condition for additional development as the addendum opinions are not adequate.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with the remand directives for the claim decided herein and has therefore ordered another remand to address issues related to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the claims due to inability to obtain the Veteran's service personnel records from the 219th squadron and Lackland Air Force Base. The RO must make another attempt to obtain these records, or provide a formal finding of unavailability if continued efforts would be futile.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability is denied, but he is granted a separate 20 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy effective from June 28, 2018.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disability, low back disability, and cervical spine disability due to new evidence received since the March 2004 decision.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and an inadequate VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and a left leg disorder, as these issues are inextricably intertwined. The case will be returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, except during a period of temporary total disability. The Board finds that the evidence does not support an evaluation in excess of this rating.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including his partial medial meniscectomy and degenerative disc disease, resulted in frequent episodes of joint locking and effusion as of July 13, 2019. A separate rating of 10 percent is granted for this condition.

The Veteran's use of a back brace for his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease caused wear and tear on his clothing, leading to the grant of a clothing allowance for 2016.