Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand two claims for further development due to the Veteran's assertion that his back condition continues to deteriorate and requires surgery since his last VA examination. The claims are related to degenerative disc disease (DDD) and facet arthropathy with laminectomy, as well as neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and remanded the issues of initial rating for cervical spine disability, service connection for upper extremity radiculopathy, and TDIU.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for meralgia paresthetica of the left leg, but remanded the issue of a higher evaluation for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back and neck disabilities due to insufficient opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 20 percent since August 25, 2017. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has decided to remand two issues related to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis of the cervical spine due to a lack of recent VA examination records.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine has been dismissed because the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and degenerative joint disease of bilateral knees, finding that these conditions began during or are etiologically related to an in-service injury from falling out of a truck in July 1980.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate medical opinions and inextricably intertwined issues.

The Veteran's claims for otitis media, tinnitus, and skin disability are granted. The claim for low back disability is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability as secondary to his service-connected left knee and low back disabilities, finding that there is no evidence linking the right knee condition to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and examinations.,A VA examination is required to determine if the Veteran’s chronic kidney disease is related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 40 percent, but the Board finds that he does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there are no documented incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) lasting six weeks or more in the past year.

The Veteran's lumbar strain is currently rated at 40 percent, which does not meet the criteria for an increased rating as there was no unfavorable ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's scoliosis may have existed prior to service and is not related to military service, but additional development is needed to clarify this issue.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for back disability. The remaining claims of secondary service connection for hypertension, eye disability, stomach condition, and sleep apnea are remanded due to lack of a medical opinion addressing these issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for a low back disability and left hip disability due to incomplete records. The Veteran's service connection claim is pending as new evidence may be received, while his secondary service connection claim remains in dispute.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, effective date determinations, and rating decisions. The main issues are seeking clarification on the etiology of left shoulder and elbow disabilities, skin disability, and left wrist disability; determining appropriate effective dates for service connection and ratings; and addressing the service connection for left sciatic nerve impingement and sinusitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lower back disability did not begin during his active service and is unrelated to any in-service injury or event. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity do not render him unemployable for substantially gainful employment.