Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, left and right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and femoral nerve radiculopathy were evaluated as 20 percent disabling from August 12, 2016, to March 18, 2019. The rating was denied due to the Veteran's inability to work in her previous employment.

The Board has denied service connection for an eye condition due to lack of evidence showing a disability during service. The claim for back disability is remanded as there was insufficient medical opinion regarding the onset of the disability in service.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and TDIU due to the lack of evidence linking the current condition to service, with the most persuasive opinion finding no link between the Veteran's current back symptomatology and service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to missing private treatment records and incomplete VA examinations. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with his increased rating claims.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder, left leg disorder, right leg disorder, and skin disorder as the Veteran did not have current diagnoses related to these conditions.,There is no evidence that any of the claimed disorders are related to active service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective July 21, 2009. The Board found the evidence showed he was unable to work due to his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his DDD involving the lumbosacral spine and related radiculopathy conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since December 1, 2011.

The appeals for service connection for left and right foot pes planus, weak legs, and back disorder have been dismissed.,Service connection for a back disorder has been reopened but denied on the merits.

The Board has denied service connection for thoracolumbar spine disability and cervical spine disability. The case is remanded for a new VA examination to determine the etiology of coronary artery disease.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and a need for further medical opinions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is not related to his military service.,From July 3, 2009, to September 22, 2010, the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder manifested in total occupational and social impairment. The Board granted a rating of 100 percent for PTSD during this period.,The effective date for TDIU was changed from September 23, 2010 to July 3, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting information regarding IVDS and physician prescribed bed rest, as well as an increase in lower back/lumbar spine symptoms during the claim period. The Veteran needs to undergo another VA examination to clarify these issues.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and readjudication due to issues raised in a Joint Motion for Partial Remand (JMPR). Specifically, the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is being evaluated for ankylosis or its functional equivalent. The peripheral neuropathy and radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's back disability manifests with functional impairment equivalent to ankylosis during flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication of the increased rating claims, including obtaining private medical records from the Veteran's physician and requesting a completed VA Form 21-8940 for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for coronary artery disease, for accrued purposes, is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability other than stooped posture/abnormal spine contour associated with Parkinson's disease with right upper extremity weakness and for a sinus disability, both for accrued purposes, are remanded due to incomplete VA examination reports and lack of consideration of the Veteran's statements regarding his symptoms.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for Parkinson's disease with right upper extremity weakness, for accrued purposes, is remanded due to incomplete VA examination reports and lack of consideration of the Veteran's statements regarding his symptoms.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative changes are rated at 40 percent since May 9, 2019. The right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 20 percent as of June 1, 2022.

The Veteran's low back strain was characterized by abnormal spinal contour such as scoliosis and forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees, but not greater than 60 degrees. The Board granted a 20 percent rating for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to procedural issues and the need for a SOC. The specific issues include increased ratings for PTSD, lumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerves, and femoral nerves.

The Board has remanded the claims for a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar spine disability and entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disability. The claims are being returned for further development.