Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's back brace caused wear and tear to his clothing, leading the Board to grant a clothing allowance for the 2017 calendar year.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine, patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee, and left ankle condition have been granted. The other claims remain denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's preexisting lumbar spine condition was aggravated by service. The Veteran must be afforded a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including heart disorder, sleep apnea, back disability, right foot disability, and hernia, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service connection claim for Meniere's Disease is denied as it is not secondary to any service-connected condition.,Service connection for mechanical low back pain is also denied, with the rating for this condition remaining at 20 percent.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for cervical degenerative disc disease with arthritis, tinnitus, and left upper extremity radiculopathy were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for type II diabetes mellitus is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The lumbar spine disability claim is remanded as new evidence has been submitted, but a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal on the claims of entitlement to a compensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss, service connection for a lumbar spine disability, service connection for a right ankle disability and service connection for a right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a more definitive opinion regarding his lumbosacral spine disability. The current VA examination was deemed inadequate and does not provide sufficient evidence on whether the condition is related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and a right hip disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's neck and back disorders were not incurred in or related to her military service. The Board found no evidence of a chronic condition during service, within one year after separation, or otherwise linked to the Veteran's active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of osteoarthritis of the left and right hips, left and right knee conditions, and DDD of the cervical spine as secondary to lumbosacral degenerative disease were denied.,PTSD was also denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disability, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and no continuity of symptomatology since service. The Veteran's current neck disabilities are attributed to natural aging processes.,The issue of service connection for a back disability remains pending as additional information regarding the Veteran's periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA) is needed, along with medical clarification on whether his congenital conditions are developmental defects or diseases.

The Veteran's appeal for an increase rating in his degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine was denied. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a separate compensable rating for the residuals of right ischial tuberosity fracture, involving the hip and right lower extremity, has been remanded due to pending development requirements.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted secondary to service-connected conditions. The cervical spine condition is granted a 20% rating from March 25, 2019 onwards and the radiculopathy of the right upper extremity was granted a 20% rating from May 22, 2012 through February 26, 2018. The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right upper extremity is denied in excess of 40% after February 27, 2018.

The Board denied service connection for GERD, asthma, lumbar spine disability, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia due to lack of new and material evidence. The claims were previously denied in March 2004.

The Board has determined that new VA examinations are needed due to the Veteran's testimony of worsening symptoms and treatment records indicating ongoing issues. The cases will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to insufficient evidence, specifically regarding his lumbar spine disability, left ankle degenerative arthritis, right ankle degenerative arthritis, and potential neurologic abnormalities. The case is also remanded to obtain SSA records related to the Veteran’s application for benefits.