Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board remands the claims for a rating in excess of 40 percent prior to April 1, 2009, and in excess of 20 percent from April 1, 2009, through April 9, 2012, and in excess of 40 percent from August 10, 2012, for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), as well as a claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) prior to February 11, 2011.

The Board denied service connection for back and neck disabilities as there was no evidence of a chronic disease in service, the conditions did not manifest within one year of separation from service, and medical opinions were against a nexus to service.

The claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the spine is remanded to provide the Veteran with a VA examination.

The Board remands the claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for lumbosacral strain prior to February 6, 2023, to obtain a retrospective medical report addressing disability between 2013 and 2023.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's thoracolumbar scoliosis with degenerative changes prior to January 25, 2017.

The Board granted an initial rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability prior to September 15, 2015.

The Board remands the matter for additional evidentiary development to properly assess the severity of the Veteran's back disability, including a retrospective opinion on range of motion findings prior to April 5, 2022.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a neck and back disability to obtain additional medical opinions that address the Veteran's lay reports of in-service injuries and continuity of symptomatology.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD; a left knee disability; and a lumbar spine disability due to insufficient development of evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, finding no evidence that the condition was incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran's service connection for asthma was denied, but a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from October 11, 2017 was granted.

The Board remands the matter for a VA medical opinion to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, including its relationship to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including right ankle condition, back disorder, neck disorder, and radiculopathies in the upper and lower extremities.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease, left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, and right wrist condition as there was no evidence to support a finding that these conditions were related to his active duty service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and remanded several issues for further development.

The Board remands the claims for an increased rating for a back disability and a separate evaluation for right lower extremity radiculopathy due to inadequate medical examination.

The appeal for service connection for posttraumatic arthritis in left knee and lumbar spine degenerative disease (claimed as lower back sprain) has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, lower back condition, and left ventricular hypertrophy to cure pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a back condition and left knee condition to correct an error on the part of the AOJ regarding the duty to assist.

The Board granted a separate 10 percent rating for left knee instability and a 40 percent rating for lumbar spine disability, while dismissing appeals for increased ratings on the left knee. Service connection was also granted for right and left foot plantar fasciitis.