Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board remands the claims for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and associated radiculopathy due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the severity of the conditions during flare-ups and after repetitive use, discounting the ameliorative effects of medications.

The Board denied service connection for headache, back, neck, and left shoulder disabilities as the conditions were not shown to be chronic in service or manifest within the applicable presumptive period; continuity of symptomatology was not established; and there was no evidence linking the disabilities to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board denied an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome, spondylolisthesis, and spinal stenosis but granted an earlier effective date for a 20 percent rating.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and a left knee disorder as there was no evidence of an in-service injury or chronic condition, and the current conditions were not shown to be related to service.

The Board granted service connection for pulmonary fibrosis and remanded the claims for chronic bronchitis, respiratory problems, lumbar spine disability, left ankle disability, and narcolepsy due to insufficient evidence regarding toxic exposures and inadequate medical opinions.

The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the period on appeal.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for lumbar spine and multiple sclerosis disabilities due to his failure to appear for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for cervical spine pain, low back pain with degenerative changes of the lumbosacral spine, and right shoulder condition to secure a VA examination and opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for eligibility for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation due to not meeting the legal criteria.

The Board grants service connection for cervical strain, lumbosacral strain, and right knee strain status post ACL reconstruction based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an initial compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae, while remanding the claims for a lumbar disorder, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for lumbosacral strain with IVDS and gastrointestinal disability, as well as a compensable rating for the latter.

The Board denied the appeal for entitlement to a finding of total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU) based on a single service-connected disability, namely service-connected thoracolumbar spine or left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board remands the appeal for further evidentiary development and to schedule VA examinations.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining private medical records and updated TERA opinions.

The appeal regarding the proposed changes in effective dates for service connection and initial disability ratings were dismissed as they were not final decisions.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative disc disease, degenerative arthritis, and lumbar spondylosis based on the evidence of record.

The appeal for service connection for PTSD, a lumbar spine disability, a right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, and migraines was dismissed due to an impermissible concurrent election.

The Board granted an effective date of January 7, 2011, for a 20 percent disability rating for degenerative disc disease with degenerative arthritis and February 13, 2012, for service connection for painful (tender) surgical scars of the lower back.

The Board granted increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and left knee strain, as well as service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy.