Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was diagnosed during service and is considered incurred in service. The Board also found that his current diagnosis of degenerative disc disease is not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for Major Depressive Disorder was denied, and he was granted a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU). The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to his MDD, but determined that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records related to the Veteran's claimed low back disorder and heart disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hip disability, right ear hearing loss, or right knee disability. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on all issues related to service connection, including for degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine, bilateral pes planus, left knee disability, right knee disability, degenerative arthritis of the left glenohumeral joint, degenerative arthritis of the left acromioclavicular joint, neck disability, and vision disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine and left knee disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 20 percent prior to June 21, 2013 and at 40 percent thereafter. The left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy was rated at 20 percent prior to June 21, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal is mixed, with some issues granted and others not. The low back disability has been rated as 10 percent disabling, but the rating for hemorrhoids remains at 10 percent. A separate rating of 10 percent was granted for left lower extremity radiculopathy before January 5, 2018, and a rating of 20 percent since then.

The Board has remanded the case for a new medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD caused or aggravated his opioid abuse and/or dependency, which led to his fatal methadone intoxication. The claim is being returned to the RO for further adjudication.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is being remanded for a VA examination to assess its current severity and manifestations. Additionally, the effective date of his 10 percent rating needs to be determined.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased evaluations have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran’s assertions regarding his claimed disabilities, and there was insufficient medical evidence linking any current disability to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and determining whether service connection criteria were met prior to the effective dates of the disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew all issues on appeal prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40% since November 19, 2015. The Board found no evidence of ankylosis or IVDS during the appeal period prior to this date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches was reopened due to new and material evidence. Service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is granted based on continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a lumbar spine disability due to incomplete service personnel records and unassociated medical records. The RO is instructed to request these documents and attempt to associate them with the claims file.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for his left knee disability and service connection for his low back disability due to inadequate examination reports and lack of supporting rationale.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to unclear current status of her lumbar spine and bilateral hip disabilities, requiring new VA examinations and updated treatment records.