Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder (MDD) on a secondary basis to the Veteran's now service-connected low back disability.,The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran’s current diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, MDD, was caused by his now service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted entitlement to a TDIU with an effective date of April 10, 1999. From January 26, 2009 onwards, he is also entitled to SMC under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).

The Board has granted service connection for low back pain or strain and left knee pain or strain, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his active duty in Iraq.

The Board denied an increased disability evaluation for lumbosacral-spine disorder, finding that the Veteran's forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine was never below 30 degrees and no higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to August 21, 2009.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, benign prostatic hypertrophy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to inadequate opinions regarding flare-ups and functional impairment.

The Veteran's initial rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy has been granted at a 20% level, effective from the date of claim. The service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease and IVDS remains rated at 40%. There is no indication of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes for intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and lumbar spine disability. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for either condition.

The claim for a higher evaluation for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine has been dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis with sclerosis of the right SI joint is presumed to be related to his service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), a lower back condition, right and left knee conditions, right foot frostbite, left foot frostbite, right hand frostbite, left hand frostbite, tinea versicolor with tinea pedis, and status-post fracture of the left fourth finger with osteoarthritis. The Veteran is to be scheduled for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities, but granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lower back disability is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, finding that his condition did not meet the criteria for establishing service connection due to lack of in-service incurrence or aggravation and insufficient evidence linking his current condition to service.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and low back strain, but has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral wrist disability, nasal disability, and initial compensable rating for hypertension. The Veteran's dermatitis case is also being remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's appeals to reopen his claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and insomnia/sleep disturbance.,However, these claims are still pending as they have not been decided on their merits.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disk disease and foraminal narrowing was denied. The appeal for TDIU based on the same disability was also dismissed as moot due to the grant of a total schedular (100%) disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability was not present during service or within one year of discharge, and there is no evidence linking it to his active duty. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine degenerative joint disease is rated at 10 percent, but the Board has remanded for further evaluation due to limited range of motion.

The Veteran's back disability is related to his active service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.