Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's low back disability, rated at 40 percent since November 1, 2012, has been granted an increased rating to 40 percent effective May 27, 2009 (excluding a period of temporary total convalescence rated at 100 percent from August 1, 2012, through October 31, 2012).

The appeal for high cholesterol is dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of hypertension, right hip disability, left hip disability, TBI residuals, seizure disability, and thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and that any current condition is not related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disorder with radiculopathy affecting the left lower extremity and granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD. The decision also noted that the Veteran's TDIU claim was granted prior to August 28, 2020.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disorder, diabetes mellitus, and heart disorder (secondary to diabetes mellitus) due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings of his migraine headaches, chronic low back strain, and retropatellar pain syndrome, left knee with mild degenerative joint disease is remanded due to the need for further examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his back disability. The evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran had current left knee or back disabilities, and the preponderance of the evidence was against both claims.

The Veteran's claim for a total rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is granted, with the exception of his right knee and back issues which are remanded. The Veteran also has higher ratings for his mechanical low back syndrome and limitation of flexion of the right knee.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and further development is required, including obtaining additional medical records and providing an addendum VA examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete records and inadequate opinions regarding service connection for GERD and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, nerve condition of the bilateral lower extremities, bilateral knee disability, gouty arthritis, and diabetes mellitus type II (DM). The only issue not related to service connection was sickle cell trait.,Service connection was denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, and the radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is rated at 20 percent. The TDIU was granted since December 7, 2011.,A separate rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity prior to August 31, 2016, has been granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for cervical spine arthritis and lumbar spine strain with disc bulge are granted. The Veteran also received a 10 percent rating for his bilateral hand eczema, but the initial ratings for right and left foot bunionectomies remain denied.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including OSA, Chiari I malformation with cervical syrinx, cervical DDD, bilateral knee disabilities, right elbow disability, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left wrist disability, and bilateral shoulder disabilities. The decision found that the Veteran's current diagnoses were not incurred in service or related to his service-connected bronchial asthma.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and an effective date prior to January 13, 2017, for a 20 percent disability rating for lumbar muscle spasm claimed as back injury (back condition) is being remanded due to inadequate VA opinions.

Your appeal has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to decide your claims now.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction and a non-compensable rating for sinusitis. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbar spine DDD, as well as the inextricably intertwined claim for a separate rating for painful bowel function related to his low back condition, is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to issues with the adequacy of previous examinations and opinions, as well as the need to address potential secondary service connection based on herbicide exposure and other factors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bladder cancer and prostate cancer due to insufficient evidence regarding his alleged in-service exposure to radiation. The claims will be reconsidered with additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and left shoulder disability have been reopened, but the Board has found that additional development is needed due to inadequate VA examination opinions regarding secondary service connection.