Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's back disability and associated radiculopathy were granted initial ratings of 10 percent from April 11, 2011 to March 21, 2012, with a higher rating of 40 percent granted starting from March 22, 2012.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lower back disability and residuals of a head injury, to include headaches, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The rating reduction from 30 percent to 20 percent for cervical spine disability was improper, and the 30 percent rating is restored. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability and left leg radiculopathy were denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability. The claim will be re-adjudicated after a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his dental, respiratory, joint pain, low back pain, hypertension, sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction conditions. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition was denied because the new evidence did not provide a nexus between his in-service event and current condition.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted as service connected due to an in-service strain and significant weight gain related to military sexual trauma. The initial rating for PTSD remains remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar strain, finding that it is at least as likely as not incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right fourth finger and thumb disabilities, as well as residuals of a low back injury and gastritis. Additional evidence is needed to determine if these conditions are related to active service.

The Board denied service connection for right hip and lumbar spine disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a link to active service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's spouse is not eligible for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need of her aid and attendance because she can perform daily activities independently, except for taking care of the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and sleep apnea secondary to PTSD. The Veteran's current lumbar spine disabilities were not incurred in service, as there is no evidence of chronic symptoms during or immediately after service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lower back disorder and entitlement to Total Disability due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU) because the service treatment records were not considered in the previous decision. The case will be returned to the VA examiner who provided the prior opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines have rendered him unable to maintain gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU rating on schedular basis.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claim for service connection of a psychiatric disorder including PTSD is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a low back disorder and respiratory disorder due to insufficient evidence, including lack of recent VA examinations. The Veteran is presumed exposed to Gulf War conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and depression. The case is remanded due to incomplete medical evidence.

The Board has determined that there is at least a 50% likelihood that the Veteran's current degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is related to his in-service injury, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability, including degenerative disk disease, is related to his active duty for training (ACDUTRA) service.

The Veteran's surgery for his lumbar spine disability was performed in January 2010. His claim for service connection for this condition was pending at the time of the surgery, and he did not file a separate claim for temporary total rating until August 30, 2013. The Board granted a temporary total evaluation based on convalescence following his lumbar spine surgery.