Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability was granted a 20 percent rating from April 15, 2011 to December 1, 2020.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective April 20, 2016 due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a preexisting condition and that any current low back disorder did not start during or immediately after his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for mitral valve regurgitation and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral feet and left leg. The claims are now remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between these conditions and service, including environmental or toxic exposure during her Southwest Asia service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The cervical spine disability was granted a 40% rating, but the left and right upper extremity radiculopathy claims remain denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD is granted an increased rating of 40 percent, effective from the date of decision. Separate evaluations for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy prior to January 10, 2013 are also granted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board finds no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis. The right knee injuries are currently rated separately for arthritis and instability. Both issues require further development to determine appropriate ratings.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's back disability is related to service and remands for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because they died during the pendency of their case.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is rated at 40% from September 20, 2017. The Board found that the limitation of motion met the criteria for a 40% rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, cirrhosis of the liver, and COPD. The Board found that there was no evidence of continuity of symptomatology or chronicity within one year of separation from service, and that the claimed disorders were not related to medication received in service for syphilis.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for a back disability due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining medical records and providing clarifying opinions on the Veteran's diagnoses.

The Veteran's lower back disorder was granted a 50 percent rating since December 21, 2020. Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II was denied.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions, including neck condition, back disability, knee and ankle conditions, foot conditions, diabetic retinopathy, diverticulitis/constipation, uterine fibroids, dyschromia, and menopausal syndrome. The Veteran was granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder as the result of military sexual trauma (MST).

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his service-connected back disability prior to June 6, 2019 was denied as the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, atherosclerosis, and anemia. Service connection is granted based on the presumption of exposure to contaminated water in Camp Lejeune.,Service connection was also remanded for benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder, diagnosed as lumbar degenerative disc disease and chronic low back pain, is secondary to his service-connected pes planus. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding his claimed disabilities. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability was denied, with the current rating of 40% being upheld.