Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and right leg sciatica, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The Board also found that arthritis could not be presumed as it did not manifest within one year of discharge from active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability did not exist prior to his military service and was not aggravated by such service. As a result, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current cervical spine disability that is at least as likely as not causally or etiologically related to his active service, including head trauma. The VA examiner's opinion was against a causal relationship between the in-service injuries and the current cervical spine disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and granted an initial rating of 10% for a right wrist ganglion cyst, but the appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied as his service-connected conditions did not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of October 25, 2011 for the award of a separate 10 percent rating for radiculopathy of the left sciatic nerve. The Veteran's radiculopathy is considered part of her lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been rated as 10 percent disabling since August 26, 2009. For the period from August 26, 2009 to December 16, 2015, he is also entitled to a separate rating of 10 percent for mild left lower extremity sciatica.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inconsistencies in the medical examination report and the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings prior to November 1, 2012 were denied as his right leg radiculopathy did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of entitlement to an effective date earlier than October 2, 2009, for the grant of a 20 percent rating for multi-level degenerative disc disease with spondylosis of the cervical spine. The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and dysthymic disorder) and a cognitive disorder have been granted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased rating claims have been withdrawn. The Board has dismissed the underlying claims as there is no longer an appeal to consider.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a scheduling issue for his scheduled videoconference hearing. His claim of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine degenerative disk disease remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for right ankle and right knee disorders in February 2007. The Veteran's claims of reopening these issues are still pending.,The Veteran has not submitted new and material evidence to reopen his claim of service connection for a lumbosacral spine disorder, psychiatric disability including PTSD, or tinea cruris.

The Board granted a 20 percent disability rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease since August 24, 2011. The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is rated as 20 percent disabling since May 13, 2014.

The Board found no evidence of a lumbar or cervical spine disability in service, and concluded that any current disabilities are not related to service.,The Board also determined that the Veteran's bilateral leg numbness is not linked to his tailbone injury during service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection was withdrawn, with the exception of his claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for atonic neurogenic bladder after August 28, 2012. The Veteran is satisfied with the current rating assigned.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of the record, including scheduling VA examinations to evaluate his claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the combined effects of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his employability. The TDIU claim will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Board has remanded the claim for additional development due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the onset and etiology of the Veteran's back disability. The case will be adjudicated again after the necessary actions are completed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral ankle disability is caused by his service-connected bilateral pes planus, and therefore grants service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.