Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is secondary to his service-connected left ankle disability, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the presence of intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) in his lower back disability, as well as the need for updated VA treatment records and a new examination if necessary.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbosacral and thoracic spine strain, degenerative disc disease, and degenerative joint disease has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluations of various disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development.

The decision restores service connection for bilateral hearing loss and grants increased ratings for left elbow scar, left knee instability, and remands the issues of rating in excess of 10 percent for osteoarthritis of the left knee and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the failure to notify him of his scheduled VA examinations, lack of post-service treatment records, and need for additional examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been remanded due to the need for further development.,Service connection has not been established for a left foot disability, vision disorder, bilateral hearing loss, headaches, right foot disability, upper and lower extremity disabilities, respiratory disorders, sleep disorder, or psychiatric disorders.

The Board has denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for qualifying additional disabilities of the right arm and hand, left arm and hand, right shoulder, left shoulder, cervical spine, and lumbar spine caused by or resulting from VA acupuncture therapy in 2016.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for left foot disability is denied as there was no prior claim filed.,Service connection for vision disorder, bilateral hearing loss, headaches, right foot disability, upper and lower extremity disabilities, respiratory disability, left shoulder disability, neck disability, back disability, sleep disorder, and erectile dysfunction are all denied.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain and right knee strain with hamstring muscle tear residuals are being remanded for further evaluation due to the possibility of worsening symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain and for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The remand is required because additional medical examination findings are needed regarding the severity of the Veteran's back condition.

The Board has denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left leg muscle disability, and residuals of a head injury (claimed as Parkinson's disease).,Service connection was also denied for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD and MDD).

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar strain, but denied his right and left knee strain claims. The case is remanded to obtain VA treatment records and conduct a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's neck injury, low back condition, and left foot injury as these conditions are found to be related to his active military service.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, finding that the Veteran did not have a current disability related to his military service and that any current condition is more likely due to post-service injuries.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for lumbar spine and left knee disabilities, as they are secondary to service-connected right ankle disabilities. The Veteran's outstanding medical records need to be obtained and reviewed by a VA examiner.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of thoracic spine strain is not related to his in-service injuries and that there is no credible evidence of continuity of symptomatology.

This decision grants the Veteran's claims for an effective date of July 22, 2002 for a 20 percent rating for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, as well as for his back disability. The effective dates are granted based on credible lay testimony from the Veteran regarding when he began experiencing symptoms related to these conditions.,TDIU was also granted effective July 22, 2002.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic stress disorder, headaches, right lower extremity radiculopathy, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and cervical strain, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for a low back disability is granted, but the condition is not service-connected.,The Veteran's claim for diabetes mellitus is denied as it occurred during INACDUTRA and thus not service-connected.,The Veteran's bilateral cataracts are found to be new and material evidence, indicating they may have onset in service.