Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him incapable of securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine has resulted in a separate rating of 10 percent for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional development and examination. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of these conditions during service or within one year after separation. The Board finds the Veteran's statements regarding the onset and continuity of symptoms to be inconsistent.,The Veteran's lower back and left hip disabilities are not considered to have been incurred in service due to a lack of continuity of symptomatology, as there is no evidence of these conditions during active duty or within one year after separation. The Board also finds that the Veteran did not seek treatment for his current right elbow disability until 2014.

The Board has granted the claim of service connection for a thoracolumbar condition, finding that there is an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence in favor of a causal relationship between the Veteran's current thoracolumbar disability and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination regarding the Veteran's low back disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability, bilateral knee disability, and right wrist disability due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims to reopen for service connection of left knee, right knee, thoracolumbar spine disabilities and acquired psychiatric disorder. The issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension, left hip disorder, right hip disorder, back disorder, and bilateral lower extremity sciatica as secondary to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent prior to January 20, 2017 and 50 percent thereafter. The Veteran's hallux valgus of the left great toe and calluses of both feet are each rated at 20 percent.,PTSD with an alcohol use disorder and a substance use disorder is not rated higher than 70 percent.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed for the Veteran's left shoulder, low back, bilateral plantar fasciitis, sinusitis, and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) to determine their etiology. The right shoulder disability is also being remanded for an increased rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, osteoarthritis of the hips and knees, degenerative disc disease, and radiculopathy, have rendered her unable to work due to functional limitations. The Board finds that further examination is needed to assess these effects on employment.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, effective from December 22, 2009. The effective dates are based on the date of receipt of the new claim or the date entitlement arose, whichever is later.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for right knee and back disabilities due to insufficient evidence, and a VA examination is required to determine if service connection can be established.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence. The issues are being returned for further examination and consideration.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased evaluations of the Veteran's thoracolumbar pain syndrome and stress fractures of both feet due to inadequate examination reports. The AOJ is required to arrange new examinations that comply with 38 C.F.R. §§ 4.40, 4.45, and 4.59.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions render him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person due to his inability to dress, undress, or bathe himself as a result of his disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for a compensation examination. The Veteran's eye disorder is being evaluated further.

The Board has granted the reopening of the claim for service connection for a low back disability and denied the rating in excess of 10 percent for hemorrhoids. The Veteran's current diagnosis is intervertebral disk displacement, which he attributes to his active duty service.