Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to a previous denial of service connection for low back disability, and further development is needed to address the Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service parachute jumps and continuity of symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, TDIU, and nonservice-connected pension due to the preponderance of evidence against finding that her current back disability began during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury. The Veteran now has a 100% rating for PTSD effective December 22, 2011.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is currently rated as 40 percent disabling since June 1, 2015. The Board denied a higher rating for this condition.,Left and right lower extremity radiculopathy are separately service-connected and rated at 10 percent each prior to August 30, 2019, and 20 percent each thereafter. The Veteran's femoral nerve involvement is rated at 30 percent from August 30, 2019.,The Board denied a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's back disability, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within the applicable presumptive period. The Board also found that the Veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and his lay statements regarding carrying rucksacks and weapons were insufficient to establish a nexus between his current back disability and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development to determine the severity of his back disability prior to June 2, 2016 and whether he was unemployable due to service-connected disabilities prior to January 12, 2016.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is rated at a 20% evaluation prior to July 23, 2020 and denied for higher evaluations on and after that date.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar strain, degenerative disc disease with levoscoliosis and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity were denied. The rating for lumbar strain was not granted as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion. The restoration of 60% disability rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity from September 1, 2016 was also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various knee and foot disabilities, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder. The issues are being returned to the RO/AMC for further development.,Service connection is not granted for a back disability or right lower extremity radiculopathy (to include hip and ankle) due to lack of evidence showing in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar strain/sprain with scoliosis and right knee chondromalacia patella, status post right knee ACL surgery with shin splints have been granted initial ratings. The rating for the right knee condition was reduced after August 2, 2018.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disability, finding that there was no evidence to support his assertion that he experienced symptoms since service and concluding that continuity of symptomatology alone is not sufficient for service connection without a competent nexus opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional development being required, including a supplemental VA opinion and addressing the Veteran's lay statements regarding his service-connected low back disability.

The Board denied increased ratings for osteoarthritis of the right knee, left knee, and degenerative changes of the lumbar spine prior to April 25, 2019.

The Veteran is granted TDIU based on service-connected disabilities from October 19, 2006 and TDIU based on depressive disorder alone from October 25, 2019.,Effective October 25, 2019, the Veteran also receives SMC at the housebound rate due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee, left knee, and lumbar spine disabilities as they are considered current disabilities that began during active service.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his in-service injury and sprain. The decision resolves any doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has vacated its previous decision and remanded the case for further review, including a remand on service connection for lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 70% rating, but other claims are pending.

The Veteran's TBI with PTSD is granted a total rating, and his left eye recurrent corneal erosions, painful motion of the left knee (patellofemoral pain syndrome), GERD, and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine are all granted increased ratings. The Veteran’s tendon strain of the right fifth finger remains remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected left knee disability prior to May 19, 2015 and 40 percent thereafter, service connection for a low back disability, to include as secondary to service-connected left knee disability, and service connection for a right knee disability, to include as secondary to service-connected left knee disability. The TDIU claim has also been added to the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with spondylosis and neurogenic bladder have been denied, but an effective date of October 4, 1991 has been granted for both conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for low back pain was reopened due to new evidence. Service connection is granted for a low back disability. The claims for sleep apnea and facial sunburn residuals are remanded.