Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's right knee brace caused damage and wear to his clothing, leading the Board to grant a clothing allowance for 2017.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for lumbar thoracic spine scoliosis is granted. The Board finds that additional clarification is necessary regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's joint hypermobility disorder, to include Ehlers-Danos syndrome.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 20, 2011 for the award of service connection for degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine status post spinal fusion (low back disorder) was denied.,The Veteran's appeal challenging the March 2012 rating decision that granted entitlement to service connection for a low back disorder and assigned an effective date of December 20, 2011 due to CUE was also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, including pinched nerves, due to incomplete information in the medical records and the need for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a left knee disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right ankle and foot disabilities. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection are not granted.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability, claimed as residuals of neck fracture, finding no nexus to active duty.,Service connection was also denied for the low back disability due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Board has determined that the VA examination and opinion are inadequate, as they did not address aggravation of the upper back disability by service-connected disabilities. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's clothing allowance for the calendar year 2017 for a back brace is granted due to wear and tear on his clothes caused by using a back brace.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claims for left knee, right knee, low back, and right shoulder disabilities due to new evidence submitted. However, these claims are still remanded as the Veteran failed to attend VA examinations scheduled in June 2016.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's degenerative disease of the lumbar spine, specifically his in-service back complaints and treatment.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluation of migraine headaches is granted. The claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but dismissed the claims for bilateral hearing loss, prostate cancer, low back disability, skin disability, left ear abnormal growth, heart disability, and stroke.

The Board has remanded nine issues related to the Veteran's right knee, left knee, and low back disorders. The issues include rating increases for these conditions as well as a TDIU determination.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for an increased evaluation for his lumbar spine condition and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to his request to withdraw all of his appeals.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease and that any current disabilities did not manifest within one year of discharge.

The Board dismissed all claims for increased ratings as the Veteran withdrew her appeals of these issues prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent prior to November 17, 2017 and 40 percent thereafter. The Board finds that these ratings are appropriate based on the evidence showing a combined range of motion not greater than 120 degrees prior to November 17, 2017, and forward flexion to 20 degrees with pain on repetitive use testing as of November 17, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his disabilities due to incomplete development. The issues include left shoulder, left knee, back, and fifth metatarsal fractures.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was granted, effective from July 14, 2008. The decision is based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his inability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.