Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has decided to remand the case for a new examination to determine if a higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a rating of 20 percent prior to December 20, 2017. After that date, the disability is rated at 40 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to June 11, 2009, finding that his unemployability was due to psychiatric disability rather than service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is related to his in-service injury, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and opinions are needed to properly assess the Veteran's claims for service connection, increased rating, and TDIU due to conflicting medical evidence and allegations of worsening symptoms.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome of the thoracolumbar spine. The appeal regarding a right elbow disability is remanded due to inadequate medical examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease and congenital scoliosis, left arm weakness as secondary to these conditions, and left leg numbness are all denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions render him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability is denied. The Board found no evidence linking the current condition to active service and concluded that his symptoms are not related to any incident during service. For the left shoulder, a 30% rating effective March 8, 2013, was granted.

The Board has remanded two issues: rating for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine on and after May 6, 2011; and rating for torn anterior cruciate ligament of the right knee with instability. The Veteran must be provided new examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for low back disability, finding that the award was based on a reopened claim and thus the earliest possible effective date is January 31, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination findings and a need for further development.

The Veteran's spouse was added to his VA disability compensation effective December 18, 2013. The claim for an earlier effective date is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a thoracolumbar disorder and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of right lobectomy for lung cancer, secondary to asbestos exposure, is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, secondary to GERD, is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for allergies, due to asbestos exposure, is remand.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a thoracolumbar disorder and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased ratings due to insufficient evidence, including a lack of medical opinions on the issues. The Veteran is also required to undergo VA examinations to assess her current disability levels.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran has a separate upper back condition related to service, as well as whether he has diabetes mellitus type II or an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder) that is related to his active service.

The Veteran's arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine are not service-connected.,The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder is currently rated at 30 percent.

The application to reopen the claims for service connection for a back disorder, bilateral hearing loss disability, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and a right foot disorder, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to military service. The decision was made based on positive medical opinions provided by both VA and private physicians.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability is remanded due to the need for additional examination and testing as per a recent Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims decision.