Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the issues regarding lower extremity radiculopathies are also addressed with initial ratings of 10 percent each. The Veteran does not meet criteria for a higher rating under these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent her from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board finds the preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented her from securing or following gainful employment at any point during the appeal period, including prior to or after November 9, 2007.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current low back disabilities are etiologically related to his active service, and therefore grants service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and facet arthritis.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to address her back disability, migraines, and TMJ.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating of 40 percent or higher for a chronic lumbosacral strain.

The Board has determined that a VA medical examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed low back disorder, including diagnoses noted in treatment records. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's cardiopulmonary arrest was caused or contributed substantially or materially to his death. The preponderance of the evidence is against the claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability, finding that there is not enough evidence to support a link between his current condition and his active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to address the etiology of his low back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and hip disorders are not related to his active service, and therefore denied both claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran wishes to withdraw his appeals for increased ratings of somatic symptom disorder, nasal disfigurement, deviated septum, left leg sciatica, and right leg sciatica. The claims for increased ratings for a back disability and bilateral knee osteoarthritis are REMANDED for further development.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings and TDIU for the conditions listed, citing that he had been granted a 100 percent disability rating for his heart condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and low back condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, resulting from an injury during service, was incurred or aggravated by active service. Additionally, the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal of the disability rating for mild TMJ and DDD of the lumbar spine has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal in December 2017, resulting in the dismissal of this case.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for her lower back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, or tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, as well as his claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and major depressive disorder have been denied. The issue of reopening the claim for major depressive disorder has also been addressed.

The Veteran does not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and left hand radiculopathy are related to his service as a Naval Aviator. The lumbar spine disorder is not shown during service or within one year of separation, but is considered a natural progression of biomechanical injuries incurred in service.