Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board remands the claim for service connection for a lower back condition to obtain an adequate medical opinion on whether the Veteran's currently diagnosed lower back conditions were aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted an earlier effective date for the assignment of a 20 percent disability rating for lumbosacral strain, effective October 12, 2022.

The Board granted an effective earlier date of September 10, 2013 for the initial 40 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and a 30 percent rating for right knee medial meniscus tear with meniscectomy and degenerative arthritis.

The Board remands the claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine disability to ensure that due process is followed and there is a complete record upon which to decide the Veteran's claim.

The Veteran's service connection for thoracolumbar spine degenerative joint disease with degenerative disc disease and a maximum 100 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder from August 23, 2023, were granted; however, the claim for a higher rating for chronic bronchitis was denied.

The claims for increased ratings for lumbar strain with spasm, degenerative disc disease, intervertebral disc syndrome, disc herniation and L-5, S-1 microdiscectomy, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (sciatic nerve), and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (sciatic nerve) were denied due to the Veteran's failure to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including left ankle, right ankle, left knee, right knee, low back, neck pain, PTSD, and left shoulder conditions, as the Veteran failed to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board denied service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, and lumbar spine disability, to include degenerative disc disease (DDD), as the evidence did not support a finding of a causal relationship between these conditions and the veteran's military service.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for alcohol abuse and remanded claims for tinnitus, low back disability, left shoulder disability, and right shoulder disability.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, tinnitus, hypertension, a dental and oral disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease, headaches, a lumbar spine disorder, a cervical spine disorder, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, right wrist disorder, and left wrist disorder.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disability, to include degenerative disc disease. The claims for hypertension and diabetes mellitus type II were remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating and service connection for various conditions, including degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, peripheral neuropathy, hallux valgus, and a sleep condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for a back disability and bilateral lower radiculopathy, thus the appeals are dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy with right foot drop, and multiple sclerosis as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for low back condition and sleep apnea, requesting to submit additional evidence.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disability and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, as secondary to a low back disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition due to his failure to report for a necessary medical examination without good cause.

The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected lumbosacral strain to afford the Veteran an additional examination where the ameliorative effects of his prescription and topical medications are not considered when evaluating the severity of the disability.

The Board granted a new and relevant evidence request to readjudicate the claim for service connection for a lumbar herniated disk, but remanded the issue for further development.