Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine due to incomplete VA examination and lack of recent VA treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and residuals of a left ankle sprain, finding that there was no causal relationship between his current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than June 10, 2005 for the grant of service connection for his back condition and associated scars were denied.,Claims for right knee osteoarthritis and left knee degenerative arthritis also had their effective dates denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's low back disability and RLE/LLE radiculopathy are being remanded for additional examination to determine the current level of severity. The rating for LLE radiculopathy is also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination for assessing the Veteran's back disability, requiring another VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, low back disorder, and left leg disorder have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection has been granted for all three conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected thoracolumbar strain, patellarfemoral syndrome and medial meniscal tear (left knee), patellarfemoral syndrome (right knee), residual surgical scars (right hand, right and left knees, and cyst, right hand), painful scar (left lower extremity), and scar (right upper extremity) are being remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the left and right knee, back disability, and bilateral foot disability due to a lack of a medical opinion regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine was granted as new and material evidence has been received since the July 2011 rating decision.

The Board has dismissed all the claims of service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's initial rating for left shoulder rotator cuff strain is denied, and his thoracic and lumbar strain and spasm are granted with a 20% rating. Other conditions remain denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to December 16, 2015 and on and thereafter.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to outstanding SSA records and for additional examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability, lumbar spine disability, and Crohn’s disease. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for hyperlordotic curvature of lumbar spine, mild; sclerosis and right knee disability, status post anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery due to inadequate examination reports. The case is being sent back for further evaluation.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, and his increased rating for back disability is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective June 8, 2016. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him incapable of securing and following substantially gainful employment since June 8, 2016.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of lumbar spine was not found to meet the criteria for a higher evaluation than the current 10 percent disability rating.