Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service connection claims for an orthopedic back condition and bilateral hip condition have been denied as the evidence does not establish that these conditions are related to his military service or a pre-existing condition.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and bilateral eye condition are granted service connection. The lumbar spine disability, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded for further examination and opinion. The dermatitis is also remanded for a VA examination.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, left shoulder, right shoulder, elbow, ankle, hip, and knee have been granted initial ratings from November 1, 2011 to March 25, 2018. The rating for the lumbar spine was increased to 20% effective March 26, 2018.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issues of service connection for low back disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and headaches (claimed as migraines).

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and correctly decide the Veteran's claims for service connection, including private treatment records from various doctors and Social Security Administration disability benefits documents.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to new evidence being added to his file and the need for a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection and increased disability ratings as they have been resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his lower extremities, heart, and lumbar spine conditions, make it impossible for him to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were previously denied in September 2012, but new evidence was submitted since then. However, this evidence did not provide a medical nexus between the claimed disabilities and active service.,VA found that there is no relationship between the Veteran’s current conditions and his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for cervical spine condition, thoracolumbar spine condition, hypertension, GERD, depression, and prostate problems. These issues are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated as 10 percent disabling prior to November 15, 2011 and 40 percent thereafter. The Veteran contends that his disability warrants an initial evaluation in excess of these ratings. He also asserts that his bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are more severe than the current 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied service connection for left shoulder disability and remanded the issues of service connection for low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability was granted a 20 percent rating from May 1, 2017. The previous 10 percent rating was restored effective May 1, 2017.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Service connection is remanded for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) and a lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's back, left and right knee disabilities were denied as service connection because the evidence did not establish a relationship to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including chronic myositis of the paralumbar spine muscles, cervical spine with pain radiating to the lower extremities, sleep apnea, hypertension, cardiac arrhythmia, diabetes mellitus type II, subdural hematomas, headaches, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating due to insufficient medical opinions regarding his lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy, and right ankle disability. The issues are currently pending further development.

The Veteran's low back strain is now rated at 20 percent effective December 5, 2016. Her left and right knee disabilities remain at 10 percent each.