Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's injuries, including his lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, residuals of a fractured skull, traumatic brain injury, headaches, vertigo, neurological condition affecting bilateral lower extremities (claimed as pain and muscle spasms), neuropathy of upper extremities, and acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) are due to his own willful misconduct. As such, these claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability did not manifest in service or for many years thereafter, and therefore denied his claim of entitlement to service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and a back disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with bipolar disorder was granted, effective April 13, 2012.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for entitlement to service connection for a back disability and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine due to inadequate development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected low back disorder and TDIU rating were both denied by the Board.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current back disability and bilateral knee disabilities are not related to his military service. The evidence does not show any in-service injury or disease, and there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his time in service.

The Veteran's degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 40 percent, effective May 17, 2012. The evidence does not support a higher rating based on unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD, back disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability do not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, service connection for right knee disability, service connection for left knee disability, or TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic bilateral Achilles tendonitis is related to her active military service and grants the claim for service connection. The issue of an initial compensable evaluation for thoracolumbar spine strain remains pending.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a low back disorder, feet disorders, toenail disorder and hypertension were all granted by the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine, lumbar spine, and right shoulder disorders are not related to his military service. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this case as he is no longer alive.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current skin condition or low back disability attributable to service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran currently has a back disability and its etiology. The examiner is also asked to provide an opinion on whether any diagnosed back disability was caused or aggravated by her service-connected foot disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment since July 5, 2016.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is being remanded for further development and an opinion on its etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disease or injury incurred during active duty and that any current back disability is not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability is not due to events in active service or proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee and ankle disabilities.