Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran has withdrawn all appeals related to the issues of service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, type II, gout, hypertension, nephrolithiasis and stage IV kidney failure, left knee replacement and pain disability, right knee pain disability, left upper extremity radiculopathy (hand numbness), left lower extremity neuropathy and radiculopathy, right upper extremity radiculopathy (hand numbness), right lower extremity neuropathy and radiculopathy, lumbar back pain and degenerative joint disease (DJD), and atrial fibrillation and coronary calcifications, status-post ablation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to consider the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and obtain necessary medical records. The claim will be reconsidered under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1728.

Your appeal has been dismissed because you requested to withdraw it.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for lumbar radiculopathy in both lower extremities have been granted at a 40 percent rating.,An increased disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain was denied as the disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion. The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, despite complaints of pain and difficulty with activities, did not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of December 21, 2011 for the grant of service connection for thoracic spondylosis with lumbar strain and degenerative changes is granted. The Board also remanded the issue of entitlement to SMC based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and a right foot condition are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain was denied as the disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion. The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, despite complaints of pain and difficulty with activities, did not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis C, hypertension, lower back disability, skeletal arthritis, skin disability, bilateral eye disability, and bilateral sinus disability have all been denied as there is no persuasive evidence of a current disability or a link to service.,Service connection was not granted because the Veteran did not meet the criteria for direct service connection due to lack of in-service diagnosis or continuity of symptomatology.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability and a thoracolumbar spine disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran is rendered unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected knee and lumbar spine disabilities from October 2, 2015 to December 1, 2015, June 20, 2016 to September 1, 2016, July 19, 2017 to September 1, 2018, and April 10, 2019 to June 1, 2019.

The appeals for service connection of various disabilities have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn his appeal. The issue of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her lower back disability due to inadequate VA examinations and a lack of treatment records from 2009. The case will be returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, low back disability, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, skin condition (Hidradenitis), sleep apnea, and restrictive airway disease are all found to be related to his military service.,Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations for lumbar spine disability was denied. The Board found that the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent for the condition prior to February 1, 2016, and in excess of 40 percent from February 1, 2016 to October 7, 2016 are not met.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disorder and entitlement to TDIU due to inadequate medical opinions in the March 2023 VA medical opinion. The case is being returned to obtain new opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed back disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional development, including examinations and medical records review. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 10 percent before April 12, 2021. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating as her range of motion was within normal limits and she did not have muscle spasms or guarding severe enough to result in abnormal gait or spinal contour.