Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for a lower back condition, including degenerative arthritis, spinal stenosis, and lumbar strain, as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for his thoracolumbar spine disability, as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder as the evidence did not support a finding that the condition was related to active service.

The appeal to reduce the rating for lumbosacral strain from 40 percent to 10 percent has been dismissed as the proposed reduction was not an adjudicative determination and the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records, an adequate VA examination of his adjustment disorder, and a review of all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's disability ratings for Degenerative Disc Disease and Lumbar Radiculopathy (left and right) were restored to 20 percent effective December 1, 2022.

The Board granted service connection for a lower back condition, as secondary to the Veteran's right knee disability, and for nerve damage in both lower extremities, also as secondary to the lower back condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain and right ankle lateral collateral sprain, finding that the evidence does not support a causal relationship between these conditions and his in-service injuries.

The Veteran's right hip disability and back disability have been denied increased ratings. The case is being remanded for further evaluation of the back disability, including consideration of flare-ups.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left wrist disability, right hand disability, lumbar spine disability, and residual scar, lumbar spine surgery were dismissed as the Veteran did not timely file a Notice of Disagreement (NOD) or VA Form 10182 within one year from the date of notification letters.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for right hand disability was also dismissed because she failed to timely file a VA Form 10182 after the September 2019 decision. ,The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability and right knee disability were dismissed as well, due to her failure to timely file a Notice of Disagreement (NOD) or VA Form 10182 within one year from the date of notification letters.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma was granted in an April 2024 rating decision and is considered fully granted, thus the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's mild lumbar strain did not result in limitation of forward flexion to 60 degrees or worse, combined range of motion to 120 degrees or worse, muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour. Therefore, the criteria for a higher rating were not met.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for back condition due to insufficient medical evidence to decide the Veteran's claim. The case is sent back for an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of various spinal and peripheral neuropathy conditions as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in September 2020.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding his cervical and lumbar spine conditions. The claims will be reconsidered after obtaining further medical advice.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further evaluation and consideration of evidence.,The Veteran is not entitled to a compensable disability rating for his left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for eligibility for specially adapted housing and a special home adaptation grant are being remanded due to the retroactive award of service connection for recurrent lumbar spine disability and right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss disability in the right ear due to a lack of current disability as defined by VA regulations.,The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss disability in the left ear, tinnitus, and back disability (degenerative arthritis).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or etiology related to his military service.,For the left ankle disability, the Veteran's claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding whether he has arthritis and its severity.

The Board has restored the Veteran's ratings for degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine with IVDS and radiculopathy with right calf muscle atrophy, right lower extremity to 40 percent effective November 1, 2019. The individual unemployability entitlement was also restored.

The Board has determined that the VA did not obtain a medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed to his death. The case is being remanded for this purpose.