Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to inadequate VA examination reports and evidence of a worsening condition. A new rating decision will be issued after the completion of additional examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and low back disability, finding that the evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation prior to March 27, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new examinations and the securing of outstanding records.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's low back disorder and right leg sciatica are related to service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns regarding the adequacy of previous VA examinations and the need for a new examination that takes into account the Veteran's testimony about an altered gait.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain, bilateral sacroiliitis, and retrolisthesis of the coccyx are currently rated at 20 percent disabling. The rating is maintained as there were no incapacitating episodes requiring bed rest prescribed by a physician.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) lumbar spine was denied as there is no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes within the past year.

The Veteran's low back disability and radiculopathy of the lower extremities have been granted increased ratings, with a 20 percent rating for each condition.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current disabilities of the hands, hips, or low back that are related to service. The VA examiners provided negative nexus opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, effective June 16, 2014. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this condition.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, and his bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 20 percent. The Board has granted a TDIU effective from February 1, 2017.

The Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance was dismissed because the issue had already been decided in favor of the Veteran by a previous Board decision.

The Veteran's disabilities were not service-connected, but he received a combined non-service-connected disability rating of 40%. The claim for accrued benefits is denied as there was no pending claim at the time of his death.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and thoracolumbar spine disorder due to insufficient development of medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to outstanding medical records and incomplete VA examinations. The claims will be reviewed again with consideration of all submitted evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his back disability from August 26, 2009 to August 3, 2011 was denied as the evidence did not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for his back disability from August 4, 2011 was denied as the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity was denied. The appeal for an extraschedular rating based on multiple service-connected disabilities was also denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, as well as right knee strain. The evidence does not establish a medical nexus between an in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology since separation from service.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's back disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's hearing loss is rated based on prior determinations.