Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

A rating of 20 percent for right lower extremity neurological impairment is granted, effective prior to September 16, 2020. A rating in excess of 20 percent for the same condition beginning September 16, 2020 is denied.,Service connection for left hip disability and back disability is denied.

The Veteran's cervical spine, lumbar spine, left knee, right knee, and cognitive impairment (memory loss) disabilities are all granted as service-connected.,New evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for these conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, even with consideration of painful motion, was not manifested by forward flexion limited to greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees. The RO denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent prior to February 3, 2020 and a rating in excess of 20 percent thereafter for lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA examinations and requests for additional information.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates before July 22, 2011 for service connection of neuroforaminal stenosis of the lumbar spine, left knee patellar tendonitis, right knee patellar tendonitis, and a right eyebrow scar.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, cervical spine, and thoracolumbar spine disorders due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to active service.

The Board denied service connection for various joint disorders, including right wrist, left forearm, right fingers, left fingers, left thigh, left buttock, and left foot arthritis. The decision also denied service connection for DDD of the spine.

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of increased disability ratings and TDIU, as there are insufficient medical records to determine the severity of his service-connected conditions prior to his death in August 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar spine disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right hip disorder, and left hip disorder due to inadequate medical opinions in previous VA examination reports.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine and left knee conditions due to insufficient evidence, including a need for a VA examination.

The Board has granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The appeal for an increased rating for the back disability is remanded due to inadequate examination and new regulations.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's low back condition and leg condition. The examiner was asked to consider a documented in-service motor vehicle accident and a 2001 incident where the Veteran injured his back, but did not provide sufficient rationale for their findings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing substantially gainful employment during the appeal period, and therefore his claim for a TDIU was denied.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was evaluated at a 20 percent rating, which adequately reflects his functional impairment and pain.

The Board has denied a higher rating for the Veteran's back disability and remanded the issue of service connection for GERD. The case is being returned to the Board for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including DJD of the left arm and ruptured bicep tendon, residuals of a right arm fracture, accelerated cataracts, Meniere's syndrome, coronary artery disease, back condition, and neck condition. The remand also includes an attempt to verify the Veteran's alleged radiation exposure during service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The remaining issues of service connection for arthralgia, low back disability, esophageal disability, and cardiac disability are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability is denied as the evidence does not show that his condition meets or approximates the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability, including lumbosacral strain, bulging discs, and degenerative arthritis, is not related to service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during active duty or are otherwise linked to military service.