Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantial gainful employment prior to April 15, 2011.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal concerning several service connection and rating issues, including for tension headaches, bilateral pes planus, plantar fasciitis, arthritis, cervical spine strain with degenerative disc disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, left ankle fracture, right ankle fracture, and thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease with spinal stenosis and intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection and increased rating claims, so the cases are dismissed.

The Veteran's dermatitis is granted as service-connected due to exposure from environmental hazards in Southwest Asia during military service.,The Veteran's voiding dysfunction condition is denied as not related to her service-connected PTSD and obesity, with no aggravation by obesity.,The bilateral hip condition, right ankle condition, and lumbar spine condition are remanded for further examination to determine if they are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and obesity.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease (DDD) due to a lack of adequate examination considering flare-ups.

The Veteran's death was not caused by or related to his service-connected disabilities. The appellant is denied DIC benefits, survivors pension benefits, and accrued benefits.

The Veteran's service connection claims for recurrent right lobe pulmonary granulomas, lumbar spine spondylosis (arthritis) and scoliosis are granted. The claim for a recurrent left shoulder disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's service-connected disabilities to his cardiorespiratory arrest.

The Board has granted service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA under Chapter 35 were denied as the evidence does not support a finding that he was employed full-time prior to September 2, 2006.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for his service-connected back disability has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for left hip strain and lumbar strain have been denied. The left hip strain claim has not met the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes, while the lumbar strain claim remains at 20%.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities are secondary to his service-connected left ankle disability, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, and service connection for a neck disability is granted. The appeal regarding the higher rating for the low back disability was denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as of May 23, 2016. The Board has also remanded the claims for service connection and a higher rating for his right big toe disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability, low back pain, and headaches due to a lack of diagnosed or identifiable disabilities at the time of the June 1995 rating decisions. The AOJ applied then-binding law which held that pain alone without a diagnosed condition is not sufficient for VA compensation purposes.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for lumbar spinal stenosis with bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy due to insufficient evidence in the VA examiner's opinion. The case will be returned for a new examination and an adequate medical opinion.

The Veteran's back disability, rated at 20 percent, is not shown to warrant a higher rating as it does not meet the criteria for an increased evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for back disability due to a lack of complete service treatment records, particularly those from his deployment in Kuwait and during National Guard duty. The claims file is missing relevant medical evidence that could support or refute the Veteran's claim.

The Veteran's right forearm scar and fracture of the radius, right arm were not rated as compensable. The Board found no evidence that these conditions began during service or are otherwise related to active service.,The Veteran's fracture middle finger, left hand was not linked to his service. The VA examiner opined it is less likely than not related to his military service.