Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has granted a 20% disability rating for the service-connected low back disability effective June 22, 2007. The claim was originally filed on that date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current back condition and his military service.

The Veteran's motion for CUE review of a 1987 Board decision is dismissed as the motion has been withdrawn.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee tricompartmental degenerative joint disease, thoracolumbar spine disability (DDD, degenerative spondylolisthesis, IVDS, arachnoiditis of the cauda equina, and multilevel disc bulging with neural foraminal narrowing), and cervical spine disability (cervical myelopathy, status post C4-5, C5-6 discectomy and fusion, and multilevel degenerative and discogenic disease with neural foraminal narrowing and spinal canal narrowing) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.,The Board found that there is a causal relationship between the Veteran’s service-connected right knee disability and his thoracolumbar spine disability (DDD, degenerative spondylolisthesis, IVDS, arachnoiditis of the cauda equina, and multilevel disc bulging with neural foraminal narrowing) and cervical spine disability (cervical myelopathy, status post C4-5, C5-6 discectomy and fusion, and multilevel degenerative and discogenic disease with neural foraminal narrowing and spinal canal narrowing).

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, including disc displacement with subluxation, as it is related to the Veteran's in-service injury.

The Board has denied service connection for residuals of hysterectomy with scar and remanded the issue of a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease lumbar spine without radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability was originally denied in 1983, and the effective date of this decision is May 14, 2013. The Board found that an earlier effective date cannot be granted as the Veteran did not appeal the denial in 1983.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic headaches and major depressive disorder. The remaining issues have been remanded due to the need for further medical examination and evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for various knee and ankle disorders, as well as a lumbar spine disorder. The VA is instructed to obtain all relevant medical records, including those from the San Juan VAMC, and schedule an examination by an appropriate clinician to address the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for gout and remanded the issue of service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of his low back disability, finding that the preexisting condition did not worsen during ACDUTRA and there was no direct evidence linking it to active duty.

The Veteran's lumbar spondylosis with DDD is rated at 40% effective April 11, 2018. The left sciatic radiculopathy remains at a 10% rating.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for chronic low back strain and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to incomplete information regarding ankylosis of the spine, as well as the need for updated treatment records and a more detailed examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's claim is remanded for additional development on several issues, including service connection for various conditions and a separate rating for right hand scars.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of secondary service connection for low back disability and left knee and leg disability. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's spine disability was granted a 20% rating from August 14, 2017 to May 2, 2018. The condition did not meet the criteria for higher ratings at any time.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims and an increased rating claim for left knee arthritis, as well as a TDIU claim due to the need for additional VA and private treatment records.

The Board dismissed all claims due to the Veteran's death, including the reopening of a back disability claim and the psychiatric (PTSD) claim. The right knee disability rating was also dismissed, as well as the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's PTSD and other service-connected conditions have prevented him from securing and maintaining employment since April 2010. The Board has ordered additional development to obtain updated information about his work history, SSA records, and a VA examination for his PTSD.