Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including back disability, left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, postural tremor of the left hand, postural tremor of the right upper extremity, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and bipolar disorder, are being granted increased ratings. The Veteran is also granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (previously PTSD) and a lumbar disability. The cases are remanded to determine if these conditions are related to service or other service-connected disabilities.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of hepatitis C, a low back disability, and tinnitus due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder and lower back disability have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The claim for a lower extremity neurological disability is denied, but the TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and missing records, as well as new evidence received since the last decision.

The Veteran's dysthymic disorder, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and tinnitus are all found to be related to service. Hypertension is also granted as a direct result of service.,Service connection for dysthymic disorder, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and tinnitus has been established.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his respiratory condition and degenerative changes of the thoracolumbar spine due to incomplete examination findings. The Veteran is asked to provide a new VA opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his respiratory disability, specifically whether it is related to passive asbestos exposure in service. A new VA examination is also needed for the back disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC) addressing the issues of attorney fees and increased disability rating.

The Veteran does not meet the basic eligibility requirements for VA nonservice-connected pension benefits due to lack of qualifying wartime service, and his claim is denied as a matter of law.

The Veteran's AK is rated at 60% since December 2, 2019. The Board has remanded the issue of whether a higher rating is warranted prior to that date.,Service connection for hypertension was not addressed in this decision and is being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and his TDIU claim is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar strain and cervical spine degenerative disc disease, finding that there is no evidence of onset during active duty or within one year post-service. The VA examiner concluded that these conditions are less likely than not caused by military service.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain due to insufficient information in previous medical opinions. The Veteran's current back disability may be related to his active service, including parachute jumps and a left foot injury.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating as there is no evidence of forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability before the decision was made.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and related nerve impairments are rated based on their severity, with the highest rating of 40% granted for the period prior to August 12, 2015. Ratings in excess of these were denied.

The Board has remanded the cases of low back disability and hemorrhoids for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed back disorder and stomach or esophageal disorder. The claims are being returned to the RO for further consideration.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her degenerative disease of the lumbar spine was denied. For the period prior to August 21, 2020, she is rated at 10 percent and for the period from August 21, 2020, she is rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's lower back disorder and left knee disability have been granted service connection. The right hip and right knee issues are still under review.