Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back condition, finding that there is no competent evidence linking any disability to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal of the reduction from a 20 percent rating to a 10 percent rating for chronic lumbar strain is denied. The issue of entitlement to a higher rating for chronic lumbar strain remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for additional medical opinions. The issues include right shoulder, low back, left ankle, neck, headaches, cardiac condition (Incomplete Right Bundle Branch Block), bilateral shin splints, muscle pain, joint pain, and left leg conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a back condition, and remanded the claims for increased ratings for bilateral hand trauma residuals.

The Veteran's back brace was not found to cause wear and tear on her clothing, leading to the denial of a clothing allowance for the 2015 calendar year.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, characterized as degenerative disc disease with herniation. The issue of entitlement to a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for a total rating based on individual employability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) from July 20, 1999. The Board finds no clear and unmistakable error in the February 2000 rating decision that assigned this effective date.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine and cervical spine disabilities have been rated at the maximum available rating of 20 percent, with a temporary increase to 100 percent during periods of convalescence. The appeals for higher ratings are denied.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a left ankle disability and remanded other claims due to outstanding VA treatment records, private treatment records from Dr. Shah, and need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current disabilities, specifically his right shoulder, back, neck, left knee, and right knee disabilities. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's left and right shin splints are granted a 10 percent rating, but no higher. The service connection for his low back condition is denied.

The Veteran's lumbar DDD is granted as secondary to his service-connected hallux valgus of the left and right feet. The issues regarding left knee DJD and AC joint arthritis are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include unspecified anxiety disorder, is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a prostate condition, to include prostate cancer, is granted.,Service connection for a sleep condition is denied.,Service connection for a cervical spine disability is denied.,Service connection for a lumbar spine disability is denied.,Service connection for hypertension is denied.,Service connection for rocky mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is denied.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 40 percent, but the Board finds no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis. The Veteran also has separate ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy.,A separate compensable rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy was granted prior to October 27, 2005, as a neurological manifestation of the service-connected lumbosacral strain.,A separate compensable rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy was granted prior to September 13, 2008, as a neurological manifestation of the service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and lumbar spine disability, finding that the Veteran did not have a current disability during the period of active service or within one year after separation. The evidence showed no treatment for these conditions in service and only occasional mentions of elevated blood pressure readings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was not properly notified of his pending examinations and will reschedule them. The claims for service connection for a lower back disability and for a compensable rating for residuals of a left fibula fracture are being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining any gainful employment, and he is therefore denied a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to potential aggravation of her back disability during periods of active duty service. The Board requests additional information from the VA to determine if there are any periods of ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA that qualify as active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for low back disorder and neck disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions were not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and radiculopathy of the lower extremities, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) effective November 29, 2012.