Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder did not have its onset during active duty and has continued since service. The evidence does not support a finding of continuity of symptoms from service to the present.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to May 14, 2009, and in excess of 20 percent as of that date.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for left knee, left ankle, low back, respiratory, and throat disabilities due to a lack of a Statement of the Case.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the need for additional VA clinical records and SSA records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis for bilateral pes planus, bilateral knee disabilities, or lumbar fusion disability. The claim for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity is denied as there is insufficient clinical evidence to support this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for lumbar degenerative disc disease and tinnitus are still pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee disability, back disability, right hip disability, diabetes mellitus, and erectile dysfunction. The evidence did not establish a direct link between these conditions and military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to procedural deficiencies and the need for additional evidence, including VA treatment records and examinations. The issues of service connection, disability ratings, TDIU, and competency are all pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the New York, New York RO. The Board will decide his claims after affording him this opportunity.

The Veteran's lumbar spine DJD has been granted service connection based on a finding of chronicity in service and continuity since service separation.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease with facet arthritis of the lumbosacral spine is being remanded due to the need for additional treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected back condition, characterized by limited forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 50 degrees and a combined range-of-motion of 125 degrees, warrants a disability rating of 40 percent but not higher.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain more recent records and provide him with a VA examination to determine the nature of his claimed conditions, including diabetic retinopathy, low back condition, acquired psychiatric condition (PTSD and depression), and hypertension.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, effective May 18, 2015.

The Veteran's left wrist condition, diagnosed as a ganglion cyst, warrants a compensable rating of 10 percent. The Board has granted service connection for this condition and denied the remaining issues on appeal.

The Veteran's sleep disorder is not service-connected as it is a symptom of his service-connected adjustment disorder.,The Veteran's headaches are service-connected, with the examiner linking them to his service-connected adjustment disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo, sinus disorder, and headaches was denied as there is no current evidence of a vertigo disability. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a preexisting sinus or headache condition prior to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current cervical spine disorder is not related to her in-service neck pain and treatment, thus denying service connection for a cervical spine disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's foot, ear, and back disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service. The claims for these conditions are denied.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic back disability that was incurred or aggravated during service, and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.