Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's hypertension and back disorder are granted service connection, while the TBI claim is denied. The claims for complications from transvaginal mesh implantation, left shoulder disorder, and right shoulder disorder are remanded for further development.

The claim for service connection of a low back disorder is granted, and the left knee increased rating claim is remanded.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his service-connected thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease (DDD) was denied prior to March 30, 2017. Since then, the claim has been partially granted with an evaluation of 20 percent effective from March 30, 2017.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is rated at 10 percent and the claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed for the issues of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, increased ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral foot disability. The remaining issues have been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for joint and muscle pain, lower back condition, left knee condition, and gastrointestinal symptoms are denied. The Board has remanded the PTSD and eligibility for treatment issues.

The Board denied service connection for Degenerative Joint Disease of the lumbar spine, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between the condition and service.

The Board has remanded both issues for further development and consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include service connection for various conditions, with a focus on lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his thoracolumbar spine disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increased rating prior to February 12, 2014, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's claim for higher initial ratings for various conditions, including low back disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy, was denied. The Veteran received a 40 percent rating for his low back disability as of March 14, 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease. The issue of service connection for chronic throat inflammation, to include dysphagia, is remanded.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain warrants a staged rating of 20 percent prior to August 3, 2016. The appeal for other conditions remains pending and is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examinations.

The Veteran's lumbar spine and knee DJD disabilities are being remanded for further development due to inadequate previous examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities, including whether he is unemployable.

The Veteran's lumbar strain with degenerative changes is currently rated at 20 percent, and his PTSD with secondary alcohol use disorder and substance-induced depressive disorder with anxious distress is rated at 70 percent. Both issues have been granted.

The Veteran's initial and increased disability ratings for lumbosacral strain and right foot plantar fasciitis have been denied. The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 10%, 20%, and 40% from August 26, 2011 to June 6, 2016 respectively, while his right foot condition remains at 20%. No new evidence or changes in service connection are indicated.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine was granted a 20% rating effective May 17, 2017. Prior to this date, her disability had not met criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's lost flexion of the left and right hips, as well as a back disability and left leg radiculopathy are rated at non-compensable levels. The Board has granted ratings for these conditions but finds that remand is necessary to obtain additional medical evidence.