Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service connection for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities is granted. Service connection was also granted for a cervical spine disability, claimed as moderate degenerative disc disease (DDD), C4-5, C5-6, C6-7.

The Board denied service connection for a lower back disability, finding that the preponderance of evidence does not show a link between the Veteran's current condition and his in-service injury.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder was denied in 1990 due to the condition preexisting his military service. The claim was reopened and granted in January 2013, but an earlier effective date is denied as there were no new service department records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the current severity of the Veteran's low back disability. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to assess his range of motion and any neurological impairment.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for dizziness, right ankle disability, left knee strain, right knee strain, thoracolumbar strain with sacroiliac degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, left ankle ligament strain, and PTSD. The remand requests additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate VA examinations and new legal requirements.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to incomplete development of the record, including the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's appeal of cervical spine osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease was dismissed. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant, as the Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and cervical spine disability, but denied service connection for brain cancer (undiagnosed illness), migraines (undiagnosed illness and/or secondary to brain cancer), and bilateral leg numbness (undiagnosed illness and/or secondary to brain cancer).

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his in-service injury. The appeal was remanded due to a need for updated VA treatment records and an audiometric examination.

The Veteran's appeal seeking to establish that he filed a timely notice of disagreement (NOD) with the November 2007 rating decision was denied. The Board also remanded several issues for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's GERD and hypothyroidism have been rated based on the severity of their symptoms. The Veteran is not entitled to higher initial disability ratings for these conditions.,For his hypothyroidism, the Veteran was granted a 30 percent rating from August 29, 2007, to October 12, 2009, and denied any increase in rating prior to this period and since October 13, 2009.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back disability, bilateral shin splints with edema (claimed as a bilateral foot condition), and eye disabilities to include esotropia and cataracts due to the need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 10 percent prior to December 7, 2011. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to limited forward flexion and no muscle spasm or guarding resulting in abnormal gait or spinal contour.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new examination is required to determine the nature and etiology of the low back disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's low back disorder and its relationship to his service-connected left knee disability. The case will be returned for further development, including obtaining additional VA medical records and conducting a new examination.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative joint disease was granted a 40% rating from November 30, 2009. The effective date is set to November 30, 2009.

The Veteran's bilateral eye glaucoma is granted as service connected. The extension of a temporary total rating for back disability is granted until June 30, 2016. Service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to lumbar spine disability is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a chronic low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current low back condition is not related to his military service or any service-connected conditions.