Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for tonsil, thyroid, neck, low back, and bilateral knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or the in-service events. The Veteran's current disorders are considered age-related and unrelated to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute to his death, and therefore, he cannot be granted service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, considering the impairment from the disorders and his educational and employment background.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected DJD of the lumbar spine warrants a 20 percent rating, but not higher. Separate ratings for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities are granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate etiological opinions in the VA examination reports and for a new examination.

The Board has determined that there is no current disability related to service for the claimed right elbow disorder. The Veteran's statements regarding his right elbow injury are not supported by medical evidence and thus do not establish a current disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to his period of service and, therefore, denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for arthritis of the lumbar spine and right ankle disability, as well as his increased ratings for PTSD, right ankle disability, seizure disorder, and TBI were denied. The effective date for the award of a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) was not earlier than April 29, 2002.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from the Missouri Department of Corrections and Worker's Compensation claims. The Veteran will also undergo a VA orthopedic examination to determine if his current low back disability is related to injury or disease during service.

The Board has assigned a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected radiculopathy of the left lower extremity effective August 5, 2011.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee disability and granted compensation pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for an allergic reaction to the pneumonia vaccine administered during VA treatment.,Service connection was not established for the bilateral knee disability, as there is no evidence of any injury or chronic condition in service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to determine the etiology of his cervical and lumbar spine disorders.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of both knees. However, service connection is not granted as there is no competent medical evidence showing a link between current knee conditions and military service. The claim for chronic low back disorder remains denied due to lack of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's claimed right knee, left knee, and low back disabilities. However, the claim for a right arm disability is denied. The Veteran's non-service connected pension benefits are also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected degenerative disk disease lumbosacral spine and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, as well as any additional objective neurological abnormalities. The issue will be returned to the Board after the examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability is granted, effective July 2008.,His claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted, effective July 2008.,His claim for a temporary total rating due to convalescence following surgery is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of those related to PTSD and depressive disorder. The remaining conditions are either already established or not yet determined.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and bilateral hip strain as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee degenerative arthritis. The initial rating for the left knee condition remains at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his claimed disabilities and their relationship to military service. The case will be returned to the Board after these opinions have been obtained.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD with bipolar disorder was granted, and an initial disability rating of 70 percent was assigned.