Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

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

The Board has denied service connection for a respiratory disability and has granted ratings for the low back disability and radiculopathy of the lower extremities. The rating for the low back disability is being remanded to determine if a higher rating should be assigned prior to April 12, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to February 9, 2017 is denied as he was employed full-time as a corrections officer at that time. The Board finds the VA examinations conducted in August and March 2015 inadequate due to lack of consideration of all procurable data and potential functional loss during flare-ups.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar radiculopathy and herniated discs, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment throughout the period on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a back disability has been dismissed as the Veteran died during the pendency of his appeal.

The Board has determined that more development is needed for the Veteran's claims regarding his thoracolumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities, as well as his service connection claims for lower extremity disabilities. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and examinations.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability is at least as likely as not related to his in-service physical duties and sporting activities, granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities effective October 27, 2012. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted and others not.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU based on service-connected disabilities, finding that her combined disability rating did not meet the schedular requirements and that an extraschedular rating was not warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional information and evidence, as well as to schedule VA examinations. The effective date of the award of service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's low back disorder is related to service or secondary to her service-connected right ankle disability. The VA examiner needs to provide additional opinions on these issues.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar disc herniation, lumbar disc disease, and intervertebral disc syndrome is not rated higher than 40 percent due to lack of unfavorable ankylosis.,The Veteran's left elbow status post fracture with limitation of flexion has been rated at the maximum schedular rating (20%) based on symptoms equivalent to limited flexion to 80 degrees.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current low back condition and his service. The examiner is asked to provide a response based on the provided information.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is related to an in-service injury, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The appeal regarding sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as non-compensable, and the Board finds no basis for a compensable rating.,Service connection for the low back disability and right knee condition are denied due to lack of evidence showing aggravation beyond its natural progression during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board has denied a higher disability evaluation for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that the evidence does not show limitation of forward flexion to less than 30 degrees or ankylosis. The current 20 percent rating adequately compensates for any functional loss due to pain and weakness.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine spondylosis and sciatic nerve radiculopathy of the lower extremities have been remanded by the Board.,No effective date has been provided as the issues are still under review.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for left ankle, back, and bilateral foot disabilities due to inadequate VA medical opinions and outstanding National Guard records.

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the Veteran's death, as it does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the appeals.