Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has ordered remand for the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for his service-connected lower back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and GERD. The remand requires additional development to address inconsistencies in diagnoses, assess functional loss due to flare-ups, and determine whether the Veteran’s symptoms are attributable to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for disabilities of the left index finger, right index finger, left middle finger, right middle finger, left ring finger, right ring finger, left little finger, right little finger, low back disability, and left ankle disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine has been granted. The Veteran is now rated at 10 percent for the thoracolumbar spine from February 4, 2004 to October 29, 2004, and at 40 percent for the cervical spine beginning August 9, 2007.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further verification of service periods and treatment records, as well as an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the lumbar spine disorder.

The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected lumbar strain, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not warrant a higher rating based on his range of motion and functional limitations.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, and no service connection was granted or denied.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the case.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and spondylosis of the cervical spine, finding that these conditions are not related to active military service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for basal cell carcinoma was granted. The Board found that the current diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma is related to his military service, and resolved all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records.

The Board denied service connection for low back, neck, right knee, and left knee disabilities. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran is granted TDIU on a schedular basis from November 8, 2017. The Veteran's previously service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to December 1, 2016.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claim of service connection for a low back disorder, to include spondylolisthesis. The case is now being returned to the AOJ for further review.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine disability and cervical spine disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 20% prior to April 7, 2013 and at 40% as of that date. The Board denied increased ratings for both periods.

The Board has found that further evidentiary development is necessary and remands the case to ensure compliance with prior remand instructions. The Veteran's back condition and nerve conditions are being examined again due to his reported worsening.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability was denied as the evidence did not show flexion to 30 degrees or less, ankylosis, or incapacitating episodes.,The Veteran's claim for a temporary total rating (TTR) based on convalescence following surgery in December 2016 was also denied due to lack of documentation showing required convalescence period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability is reopened, and the cases of rating greater than 10 percent for a left knee disability and service connection for a back disability are remanded.