Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for his lumbar spine disability has been dismissed as he withdrew the issue before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is service-connected, but his right knee, left knee, and right arm disabilities are not.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disorder and bilateral leg disorder are not related to service, and thus denied both claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim alleging clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the March 1995 rating decision is dismissed because that decision was subsumed by an October 2005 Board decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is service-connected, with no new and material evidence presented for his claim of a peripheral nerve condition. The issue of secondary service connection for cubital tunnel syndrome remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for back and hip disabilities, left shoulder disability, and lower left eyelid scar were not granted. However, the Veteran was granted service connection for a left shoulder scar with a compensable rating (0-10%).

The November 2001 rating decision denied service connection for bilateral foot pain and granted a 20% rating for lumbar strain. The May 2003 rating decision denied an increased rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, left hip disorder, left leg condition, acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depression), and migraine headaches have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for updated records, a VA examination regarding his back disability, and an updated VA examination of his right foot scars.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to December 31, 2009 was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and service personnel records.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a back disability caused by his service and denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck disorder, residuals of head injury (left arm weakness and headaches), lung disorder, kidney disorder, and lumbar spine disorder are all service-connected. The decision is granted for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by or contributed to his service-connected disabilities, and thus denied both the cause of death claim and the DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a new VA examination and considering the issue of total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU).

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent since January 12, 2015. The cervical spine disability was initially rated at 10 percent prior to October 22, 2014 and increased to 20 percent thereafter. Adjustment disorder with anxious and depressed mood does not warrant a higher rating. Service connection for left hip sciatica is denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 10 percent prior to August 8, 2012. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence provided.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete rationale in a previous VA examination and the need to obtain additional medical records.

The Board found that the Veteran's DJD of both thoracolumbar and cervical spine did not originate in service, nor is it otherwise etiologically related to service. The claim was denied.

The Board found no evidence to support a connection between the Veteran's current low back disorder and his service, including a slip and fall incident in 1970. The claim was denied.