Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that his conditions existed prior to service and were not aggravated by service.

The Veteran was granted TDIU from August 1, 2009 and prior to October 31, 2016 due to his service-connected back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The Board found that the Veteran's disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation during this period.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, effective February 6, 2014. The rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (sciatic nerve) remains at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, secondary to his right knee disability, has been reopened. His right knee degenerative joint disease and meniscus removal have both been granted increased ratings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip and leg disorders as secondary to his chronic low back disorder, and for a cervical spine disorder are all denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support these claims.

A separate, 30 percent rating for the side effects of medications used to treat lumbosacral strain with DDD and degenerative arthritis is granted. The initial rating for chondromalacia of the right knee remains remanded.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis of the right hand and fingers, as well as low back disorder. The preponderance of evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded several issues including earlier effective dates, increased ratings, and service connection for various disabilities. The Veteran's child is the appellant.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the award of service connection for PTSD, bipolar I disorder, and thoracolumbar strain due to lack of prior claims filed before July 30, 2010.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, bronchitis, and pharyngitis. The Veteran's anxiety disorder with insomnia was rated at 50%.,The evidence did not support the claims of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar strain is not rated higher than 20 percent.,The Veteran's right knee DJD and arthritis are each rated at noncompensable levels.,The Veteran's right knee instability prior to July 25, 2016 was rated at a noncompensable level. From that date forward, the rating is 10 percent for instability.,The Veteran’s lumbar strain and right knee DJD/Arthritis are not entitled to higher ratings.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is remanded. His claims for service connection of lumbosacral strain, left knee pain, right knee pain, and degenerative arthritis of the spine are not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, lumbar spine disability, dysthymic disorder, and major depressive disorder have been granted. The claim for service connection for hypertension is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is at least as likely as not related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claims for a back condition, tinnitus, hypertension, sleep apnea, and bilateral hearing loss. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased rating of lumbar spine disability, bilateral knee disorder, sinus disorder, allergic disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder due to incomplete records from Moody Air Force Base. The Veteran is also requested to undergo a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee disorders, finding that the Veteran's current bilateral knee DJD is as likely as not attributable to in-service occurrences.,Service connection for lumbar spine disorder was denied due to lack of evidence linking it to an in-service occurrence.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative arthritis of the cervical and lumbar spine are granted as his symptoms were present in service and have continued since then.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's low back disorders and whether he had a preexisting condition prior to service.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations and extraschedular considerations for various service-connected disabilities is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of the record.