Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for a right arm disorder, TBI or residuals thereof, and headaches. The claims for service connection for neck, left upper extremity, back, and knee disorders were remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating or service connection for any of the conditions appealed.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for a low back disability to correct duty to assist errors that occurred prior to the August 2022 rating decision on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, as well as female sexual arousal disorder, both found to be secondary to service-connected psychiatric disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding no evidence of an in-service injury or illness and noting a lengthy period between service and the earliest indication of the claimed disability.

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including left knee, low back, right and left hearing loss, right and left foot dermatophytosis, and right knee strain, as the evidence did not show current disabilities or a relationship to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his low back disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, right knee disability, and HIV. The Board found that there is no evidence of chronic conditions in service or within the applicable presumptive period, and that continuity of symptomatology was not established.

The Board has denied service connection for scars, lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability. The Veteran's peripheral vestibular disorder was also denied as secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's back disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis of the spine, degenerative disc disease, spondylosis of the spine, and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), is granted.,The Veteran's left upper neuropathy is related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents and is granted.,The Veteran's right upper neuropathy is related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents and is granted.,The Veteran's right lower radiculopathy, causally due to his service-connected back disability, is granted.,The Veteran's left lower radiculopathy, causally due to his service-connected back disability, is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining a new opinion regarding the functional equivalent of unfavorable ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine and addressing whether TDIU should be granted on an extraschedular basis.,The Veteran's appeal is also remanded to develop and adjudicate his claim for special monthly compensation at the housebound rate and/or based on the need of regular aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasoning in denying service connection for a lumbar spine condition. The Veteran's reported continuity of symptoms and surgery in 1977 are to be considered, along with any updated VA treatment records.

The Board has granted a temporary total rating for convalescence due to lumbar spine surgery performed on November 8, 2017. The effective date is October 30, 2024.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for low back and neck disabilities due to a lack of compliance with previous instructions. A new VA examination is needed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine condition, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder strain with torn rotator cuff and lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for PTSD, tinnitus, lumbar strain, sleep apnea, cervical strain, upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, adjustment disorder, and a left elbow scar were dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeals. The claims for increased ratings of bilateral cubital tunnel syndrome are denied as the Veteran failed to attend scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent from June 18, 2012.,Service connection for GERD was granted with a 10 percent rating effective October 15, 2013.,Service connection for IBS was granted with a 30 percent rating effective June 18, 2012. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and following a substantially gainful occupation.,The Veteran's right foot metatarsal phalangeal joint degenerative arthritis is rated at 10 percent effective January 12, 2021.,The Veteran's left foot metatarsal phalangeal joint degenerative arthritis is rated at 10 percent effective January 12, 2021.,TDIU was denied as the Veteran does not have a single service-connected disability rated as at least 60 percent disabling.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for malignant skin neoplasm is dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for neck condition and spine condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a left shoulder condition, and a lower back condition due to lack of evidence showing these conditions are related to military service.