Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for eligibility for a special home adaptation grant or assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing.

The Board denied service connection for a lower back condition and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the conditions did not manifest in service or within a presumptive period and were not related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for updated treatment records.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations and private medical records are needed to properly assess the Veteran's cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities, as current evidence is insufficient.

The Board has dismissed the appeals due to the absence of an adequate substantive appeal for issues related to TDIU, right shoulder limitation of motion, frequent dislocations, lumbosacral spine disability, and PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development of the record, including obtaining VA and SSA records.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are both denied, as they do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), restless leg syndrome, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been denied. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,The Veteran's PTSD is not considered related to in-service stressors as he did not provide information about the events or situations that could be considered stressors.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations to assess the severity of his right shoulder and lumbosacral spine disabilities, as well as consideration of whether there are any flare-ups or functional limitations.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his degenerative changes of the lumbar spine is granted, with a 40 percent rating effective from the date of this decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back condition is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including consideration of a TDIU on an extraschedular basis. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities include low back strain and left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy.

The Veteran's back disability is granted, but the issues of service connection for head injuries, left radius fracture, hypertension, and pseudofolliculitis barbae are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a cardiac disability, and remanded her claims for an increased rating for hepatitis B, a disability rating greater than 10 percent for residuals of a lumbar spine disc herniation, and entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has granted restoration of service connection for right and left sciatica (previously claimed as lumbar radiculopathy).,Severance of service connection was improper in both cases.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is granted a 100% rating, and service connection for various conditions including pulmonary disorder, cervical spine disorder, bilateral upper extremity nerve disorder, bilateral hip/thigh disorder, and bilateral foot disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment since June 4, 2009. The Board grants a TDIU effective from that date.

The Veteran's lumbar sprain with degenerative changes was initially rated at 10 percent prior to July 1, 2014 and increased to 20 percent thereafter. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeals regarding the rating reduction for lumbar spine disability and increased ratings for radiculopathy in both lower extremities have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's case is being remanded for further consideration of multiple issues, including a TDIU claim and the rating of various disabilities.