Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran seeks service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as radiculopathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain a medical opinion addressing the effect of the Veteran's MOS on his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability is being remanded due to inadequate opinion in the July 2014 VA examination and need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability and service connection claims for various secondary disabilities. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating or service connection.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including degenerative joint disease and chronic quadriceps muscle strain, has not met the criteria for a higher rating since June 15, 2012.,Since December 29, 2015, his service-connected severe muscle injury of the left quadriceps has also not met the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess his service-connected low back disability and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Veteran's detrusser instability is related to her service-connected lumbosacral strain with transitional vertebra disability, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that this rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition based on the evidence provided.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disability, including nerve damage to the bilateral legs, is not related to his period of service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lower back and right knee disabilities are not service-connected as they did not manifest during or within one year after his military service, and there is no evidence of a direct relationship to his service-connected bilateral foot cold hypersensitivity residuals.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is not service-connected, but his residuals of a cold weather injury to the bilateral feet are service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of January 21, 2011 for the grant of service connection for chronic kidney disease is granted. The case is remanded for further development related to increased ratings and SMC.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities do not meet the minimum rating requirements for a TDIU on a schedular basis. The Board finds that his service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is capable of performing sedentary employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability is not related to his active duty service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disability is not related to service or a service-connected condition, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings for his left index finger disability, service connection for his left ankle and low back disabilities. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin condition, back disability, and right shoulder disability. The evidence does not support finding that these conditions are related to service or any other presumptive basis.

The Board found no evidence of current disabilities related to the Veteran's claimed right leg, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The lower back disability was not service connected as it is not linked to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of hearing loss, foot disability other than flat feet, or a current foot disability other than flat feet. Service connection was not granted for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, vision loss, laxity of the right knee, or recurrent low back pain with history of muscle strain.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for low back and right knee disabilities, but further development is needed to consider additional evidence submitted by the Veteran.