Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, neck disorder, back disorder, and eye disorder were denied as there was no credible evidence of in-service stressors or injuries, and the disorders are not related to service.

The Board denied service connection for low back disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The Veteran's PTSD was also denied an increased rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition and remanded the issue of service connection for neuropathy, left lower extremity. The case is now pending further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including a VA examination and obtaining outstanding medical records. The issues of increased evaluation for lumbar disc herniation at L4-S1 and TDIU are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right lower extremity radiculopathy, PTSD, and a back scar are denied. Effective dates earlier than July 20, 2013 for the awards of service connection for these conditions are also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a TDIU prior to November 19, 2012 and an effective date prior to that date for basic eligibility to Chapter 35 Dependents' Educational Assistance due to unresolved issues regarding his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has restored a 40 percent disability rating for service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that the Veteran's condition did not improve under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous directives, including a need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for additional separate service connection for depression, anxiety, and PTSD was dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal. The issues of entitlement to a low back disability and an increased rating for other trauma and stressor related disorder are remanded.

The claim for service connection for a bilateral lower extremity disorder is dismissed. Service connection for hypertension, left knee disorder, and cervical and lumbar spine disorder are granted. The claims for right knee disorder and bilateral hip disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities associated with his service-connected low back strain is denied effective dates prior to September 9, 2010.,Entitlement to a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities is also denied.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling examinations for his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine. The remaining issues have been remanded due to need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The reduction of the rating for chronic lumbar strain with L-5 spondylolisthesis from 40 percent to 10 percent effective December 1, 2016 was improper and the 40 percent rating is restored.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU. The remaining issues on appeal require further examination to determine the extent of his low back disability, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, with erectile dysfunction and diabetic retinopathy, and residuals of a gunshot wound of the left hip.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left parotitis, parotid abscess, parapharyngeal abscess, and parotid gland sialadenitis, as well as lumbar spondylosis and spondylolisthesis, have been granted. The remaining issues are still pending.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for an increased rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine as the Veteran withdrew his appeal. The case is remanded for further development regarding service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's low back disorder was rated at 40 percent prior to November 30, 2010. The Board denied a higher rating as the evidence did not show ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.,Prior to September 4, 2018, the Veteran’s left lower extremity radiculopathy was rated at 40 percent due to moderate severe incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve. The rating was granted.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for DDD of the lumbar spine is denied as there is no evidence of ankylosis or IVDS, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board dismissed the appeals for ratings in excess of 40 percent for a lumbar strain and right knee disability, as well as service connection for right hip pain and neck pain due to the Veteran's death.