Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's low back disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted increased ratings, effective November 14, 2010.

The Veteran's GERD and thoracolumbar spine disability are granted. The GERD is service-connected, while the initial evaluation for the thoracolumbar spine disability was denied prior to March 27, 2018, but a 20 percent evaluation is granted beginning that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's altered gait, caused by his service-connected right and left knee conditions, significantly aggravated his pre-existing lumbar spine condition. As a result, the Board granted service connection for the lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a back disorder, neurological disorders affecting the bilateral lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction due to inextricably intertwined issues with the claim of increased rating for residuals of an injury to the right leg (thigh) with arthritis of the right knee. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left shoulder, hip, knee, and back disorders due to insufficient evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service. The Veteran's leg length discrepancy is considered a congenital defect.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition, finding that his current back condition did not manifest during active duty or within one year of separation and is not shown to be causally related to any disease, injury, or incident during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his back disability due to inadequate VA medical opinions and the need for additional examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder as secondary to the service-connected right knee tendonitis was granted. However, his request for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee tendonitis and arthritis with limitation of flexion was denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his back, migraines, and TBI. The claims will be reviewed again with additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's back disorder may be related to his flat feet, but a VA opinion is needed to determine if this relationship is secondary to service. His bilateral flat feet are also under review with a need for a VA examination. For his lung condition, the Board requested additional information on asbestos exposure in service and needs further examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was denied as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes of IVDS.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with hip pain and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for updated medical evidence and examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for inflammatory arthritis and lumbar spine disorder to allow further development.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar and cervical spines have been remanded for further evaluation due to changes in range of motion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal and auditory disabilities, as well as a claimed psychiatric disability. The appeals are due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased evaluation of his degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine prior to April 12, 2016 was denied. The appeal is REMANDED as there are issues regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disabilities.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial evaluation of his degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine from April 12, 2016 is also REMANDED due to issues with service connection for bilateral hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of her service-connected low back disability is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling an appropriate VA examination.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability was denied. His claims for increased ratings for cervical spine DJD and left leg scar were also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, hearing loss, lumbar disc disease, scar, low back, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and PTSD. The issues of whether new and material evidence was received to reopen the claim for TBI and the propriety of reducing the disability rating for PTSD from 50% to 30% are also remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeal of the issue regarding bilateral hearing loss. The claims for tinnitus and low back condition were granted, but remanded for further action.