Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at a 40 percent rating, but no higher, due to decreased range of motion and pain. The condition does not meet the criteria for unfavorable ankylosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral shoulder disability, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, bilateral knee disability, and GERD due to new evidence indicating worsening symptoms since his last VA examination in February 2012. The Veteran will need to undergo additional VA examinations to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's increased ratings for his left knee, right knee, and lumbar spine disabilities are being remanded due to the need for new examinations. The TDIU issue is also being remanded.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of headaches due to new and material evidence. The claims for increased ratings for left knee and back disabilities are also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability has been rated at 40 percent effective August 10, 2017. The rating is based on significant loss of range of motion and functional loss equivalent to flexion limited to 30 degrees or less.

The Board denied service connection for low back disorder and sciatica of the left and right legs, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional medical opinions addressing the Veteran's lay assertions of etiology (onset in service).

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability.

The September 5, 1991 rating decision was revised to grant service connection for the back disorder of lumbar spondylolisthesis effective May 21, 1991 due to clear and unmistakable error (CUE). The claim was originally denied based on a presumption of soundness, but the evidence showed that the condition likely worsened during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of various disabilities, including tinnitus, lumbar spine disability, hip and leg disabilities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to incomplete service treatment records. The Veteran is also denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for his tinnitus.

The Board has denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed right knee, right ankle, left knee, low back, hallux valgus deformity (right first metatarsophalangeal joint), and meralgia paresthetica disabilities as they are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's neck disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has ordered a remand to ensure proper examination for range of motion testing.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, as the medical expert concluded that his hypertension did not contribute to his cause of death. The appellant's assertion regarding exposure to herbicide agents is also not supported by evidence.

The Veteran's lumbar spine condition was granted a 20% rating from November 30, 2016. The right forearm condition received an initial 10% rating for painful flexion and a separate 10% rating for limited extension.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings on his service-connected lumbar spine condition, bilateral knee conditions, and pes planus was dismissed as he withdrew the claim. The appeals for tingling and numbness in the right shoulder and a respiratory disorder were remanded.

The Board found that a timely substantive appeal was not received as to the July 2004 rating decision, which denied service connection for numbness arms and legs, residual from laceration right medial calf, hypertension, residual of battery acid in left eye, and right shoulder rotator cuff tear. The Veteran's claim for major depressive disorder was granted with an effective date of December 12, 2007.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability, finding that it did not develop during service and is more likely due to post-service work-related injuries.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased disability ratings were denied. The Veteran was granted initial non-compensable evaluations for low back strain prior to June 16, 2017, and a 10% evaluation since then. Claims for bilateral hearing loss, left wrist disorder, right wrist disorder, right knee disorder, and facial swelling/numbness were remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to lack of medical documentation in the Veteran's service treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for low back and left knee disabilities, but remanded the right knee disability due to insufficient evidence.