Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims due to inadequate VA examinations, and new etiology opinions are required.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, as he is capable of working in a sedentary or light duty position.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, lumbar myositis (back condition), degenerative arthritis of the knees, tinnitus, left foot arthritis, right hip and left hip conditions, left ankle and right ankle conditions, a bilateral foot condition, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the General Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The Board denied an increased rating as there was no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records. The issues on appeal are not related to service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability, but denied service connection for arthritis of the neck and bilateral knee disabilities.,Service connection was also remanded for right elbow epicondylitis (tennis elbow), arthritis of the hands, sleep apnea, and secondary service connection for hypertension.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims regarding a lower back condition, seizures, and hysterectomy. The Veteran must be provided with VA examinations to determine if these conditions are related to her military service.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with its remand directives and has therefore remanded the case for further development.

The Veteran's tender scar of the lumbar spine is rated at 10 percent and denied a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete VA medical records and a need to reconsider whether he served in Vietnam, which could affect his eligibility for Agent Orange exposure presumptions. The claims will be returned to the RO for further review.

The Veteran's nonservice-connected pension claim for the period prior to October 1, 2017 was denied as he did not meet the permanent and total disability requirement due to his non-service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is service-connected as it first manifested during his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his left hip, lumbar spine, and cervical spine disabilities due to new evidence indicating a worsening of these conditions. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition was reopened due to new evidence showing the condition is at least as likely related to his in-service fall.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck injury was also reopened due to new evidence indicating it is at least as likely related to his in-service fall.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of his service-connected lumbar spine disability was denied. The Board found that the reduction from a 40 percent to a 20 percent rating, effective April 9, 2007, was proper and supported by evidence showing improvement in the Veteran’s disability level.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Type II Diabetes Mellitus, Back Disorder, Right Hip Disorder, Right Knee Disorder, Left Foot Disorder, and Fungal Rash due to lack of new and material evidence. The issues were remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded three issues: service connection for sleep apnea, initial rating in excess of 40 percent for a low back disability, and initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy. The TDIU issue is also remanded due to its interdependence with the other issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is granted, but the disability is not considered to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, including IVDS, DDD, and lumbosacral strain with neuropathy of the right sciatic nerve, has been reopened. The Board found that new evidence submitted since the last final denial supports reopening the claim but does not establish service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and cervical spine disability, finding that these conditions are proximately due to his service-connected right hip disability. Service connection was denied for a left ACL rupture.