Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease and cervical strain with degenerative joint disease have been granted a 20% rating, effective from the dates specified. Service connection for AC joint arthritis of the right shoulder has also been granted.,A higher rating for AC joint arthritis of the right shoulder is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not caused by repetitive trauma incurred during his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to insufficient reasons and bases provided in previous decisions. The case is returned for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that it was not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected gastrointestinal disorder and did not have its onset during active duty. The decision also noted that there were no positive opinions linking the back disability to any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is denied. The claim for a higher initial rating for his lumbar spine disability is granted with a 10% rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is denied. The initial rating of 20 percent for the lower back condition prior to September 1, 2017 is granted, but a higher rating in excess of 20 percent thereafter and in excess of 40 percent from December 13, 2019 is denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including mental health conditions, back pain, and nerve damage in his legs. The AOJ is instructed to consider all evidence received since the last Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and bilateral lower extremity numbness are remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining medical opinions on the relationship between his obesity and his service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of his lumbar spine disability. The AOJ is instructed to obtain a new opinion addressing whether the Veteran’s lumbar spine disability had its onset during active duty, if it is related to any in-service disease or injury, and if it is caused by or aggravated by service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied increased ratings for lumbar strain and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding the Veteran's conditions did not warrant higher disability ratings based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, finding that there is insufficient competent and probative evidence linking the disorder to his active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are denied as a matter of law due to failure to report for VA examinations.,An effective date earlier than February 28, 2001, for the low back disability is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasons and bases for denying service connection for various conditions, including low back disorder, neck disorder, bilateral knee disorder, right elbow disorder, and left shoulder disorder. The Veteran's lay assertions of chronicity and continuity of symptoms since service are to be considered.

The Board has denied service connection for fibromyalgia and granted a non-compensable rating for eczema/atopic dermatitis. The Veteran's claim for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, lumbar spine disorder, diabetes mellitus, type II, asthma, and osteoarthritis of the neck and shoulders is remanded.,The Board found that there was insufficient evidence to establish a direct relationship between the Veteran’s current conditions and her service. The claims for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, lumbar spine disorder, diabetes mellitus, type II, asthma, and osteoarthritis of the neck and shoulders are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to address the etiology of the Veteran's low back, right knee, left knee, and right foot drop conditions. The clinician is asked to provide opinions on whether these conditions are related to service or any other factors.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's lumbar strain since April 30, 2018. The Veteran previously had his claim denied for a higher rating prior to that date.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis in the left hand and degenerative joint disease (DJD) in the thoracolumbar spine, finding that the Veteran's symptoms have been continuous since service separation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and hypertension as secondary to service-connected tension headaches. The Board found that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions, and the medical opinions provided did not support a nexus between the current disabilities and service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, neck, bilateral arm neuropathy, and respiratory disabilities due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and his military service.,Service connection was granted for a scar of the left exterior upper lip.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral ankle strain, lumbar spine strain, and a respiratory condition due to additional evidentiary development being necessary.