Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran withdrew his increased rating claims for Traumatic Brain Injury and Lumbar Spine Disability before the Board made a decision.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to an inadequate VA opinion and a need for additional evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran’s symptoms during his second period of active service and his pancreatic cancer.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a determination on whether the Veteran's current back disability is related to service. The issue of hypertension remains in dispute.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his left and right shoulder strains, as well as lumbar strain prior to April 14, 2015, are remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations. The issues regarding an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for lumbar strain on or after April 14, 2015, remain pending.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability as the Veteran's pre-existing mild thoracic scoliosis did not worsen during his active duty.

The Veteran's appeal for reopening her claims of service connection for lung disease, low back disability with sciatica, and gastrointestinal disability was dismissed as she withdrew the claim for lung disease. The issues of service connection for low back disability and gastrointestinal disability were reopened.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 10 percent prior to April 26, 2018 and at 20 percent thereafter. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet criteria for a higher rating based on his range of motion.

The Board has granted an effective date of June 22, 2009 for the resumption of VA disability compensation benefits. The Veteran's separation pay was not recouped earlier due to a one-year waiting period following her second period of active service.

The Board has granted reopening of the claims for service connection for a left thigh disability and hypertension, but denied reopening of the claim for low back pain. The decision also remanded the issue of whether there was clear and unmistakable error in the February 1997 rating denial of service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy and radiculopathy, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,Issues related to the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities will be addressed first as they could significantly impact other claims.

The Veteran's back disability of lumbar spine arthritis is granted as secondary to his service-connected bilateral foot disabilities. The Veteran was also granted service connection for sleep apnea, which began during service and continued post-service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for an initial increased rating for tinnitus due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The remaining issues of service connection and ratings for various disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic adjustment disorder is denied as he did not meet the criteria for an adjustment disorder.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral DDD with multi-level lumbosacral spondylosis and left paracentral disc protrusion is denied due to lack of incapacitating episodes, limitation of flexion, or spinal ankylosis.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for Tourette's Syndrome, complex tic's type, is denied as his symptoms are intermittent and mild.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is rated at 40 percent, effective November 2013. A separate rating of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy is also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for recurrent back disorder and obstructive sleep apnea due to incomplete records and the need for further medical examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder and denied service connection for left shoulder and knee disorders. The effective date of the grant is January 12, 2016.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding entitlement to service connection for a right eye disability and an initial disability rating higher than 20 percent for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claims for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease, right hip strain with degenerative joint disease, and right knee strain were granted effective November 17, 2006.,An additional 10% evaluation for limitation of adduction of the right hip was granted effective October 30, 2014.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer due to lack of a causal link between the condition and military service. The Veteran's esophageal, stomach, back, and right hip disorders are remanded for further examination and medical opinions.

The Veteran's effective dates for the awards of service connection for cervical spine strain and cervical spine degenerative joint with residual spinal fusion scar, as well as thoracolumbar spine strain (previously rated as intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis), are denied as they fall on or after November 8, 2008.,The Veteran's initial evaluations for his service-connected cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations.