Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board finds that there may be outstanding medical records from Fort Dix that could substantiate his claims.,The Veteran's hypertension claim is secondary to his acquired psychiatric disorder, as evidenced by recent medical literature. Further development is needed to determine if this relationship exists.,The Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD and other mental health conditions related to service. The Board finds a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to in-service stressors.,The Veteran's low back and cervical spine disorders are likely related to his military service, as evidenced by documented symptoms during service. VA examinations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.,The Veteran has a history of acne on his face while in service. A VA examination is needed to assess whether his current pseudofolliculitis barbae condition may be related to his military service.,

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability is service-connected, as it had its onset during his period of active service and is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for higher disability ratings for his lumbar spine condition is remanded due to insufficient compliance with the Board's previous remand directives and need for additional medical opinions regarding flare-ups and radiculopathy.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine, finding that her symptoms did not warrant such an increase.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy/peroneal neuropathy is not service-connected, as the evidence does not establish a link to his military service or any service-connected condition.,For the period from January 1, 2014 and continuing thereafter, the Veteran’s left shoulder tendonitis and impingement syndrome do not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities have been granted increased ratings of 10 percent each. The low back disability has also been granted an increased rating to 40 percent.

The Board has denied service connection for a bilateral leg disorder, a lumbar spine disorder, and a psychiatric disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability.,There is no evidence showing that any of these conditions are directly related to military service or aggravated by a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the claim of an initial rating higher than 20 percent for degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbosacral spine due to inadequate examination in a previous VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back disability and left elbow tendinitis were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including a TDIU claim prior to January 10, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine and back condition have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of TDIU.

The Veteran was granted TDIU for the period from February 21, 2019 to November 7, 2019 and from November 19, 2020. SMC was also granted effective November 7, 2019.,Prior to February 21, 2019, the Veteran's combined disability rating did not meet the requirements for a schedular TDIU rating. However, due to his employment status and service-connected disabilities affecting his ability to work, an extraschedular TDIU was granted.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for increased ratings for lumbar spondylosis with degenerative arthritis and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's previously denied claims for right knee, back, and left knee disorders are reopened. The Board finds new and material evidence has been received to support these claims. However, the issues of service connection for these conditions remain pending as they have not yet been fully adjudicated.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions originated during active duty service. The decision also grants secondary service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, GERD, bilateral leg disability (claimed as a gait condition), right shoulder disability, bilateral shoulder disability, neck disability, lower back disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability due to their potential secondary relationship with her service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at the minimum level of 10 percent, and no higher. The Board denied all secondary service connection claims for various foot, hand, cervical spine, shoulder, and knee disabilities.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a low back disability and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a relationship between the Veteran's current condition and his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral foot disability, pancreatitis, breast cancer and any residuals thereof, and back disability due to incomplete STRs and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and hypertension due to insufficient evidence or lack of continuity of symptoms since service.