Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his failure to appear for VA examinations. The Veteran is required to attend these examinations.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for asthma and increased rating for lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated based on its range of motion.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, radicular pain of the upper extremities, GERD, and shoulder strain with impingement have been granted. The Veteran's DDD of the cervical spine and lumbar spine are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbosacral strain, right sciatic radiculopathy, and left sciatic radiculopathy due to insufficient information regarding the severity of the Veteran's flare-ups during VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and denied service connection for right shin splints and left shin splints. The Veteran's lumbar spine condition is related to his active service, while the claims for right and left shin splints are not supported by current medical evidence.

The Veteran's initial claim for a lumbar spine disability was granted with an initial rating of 20 percent, effective prior to February 28, 2020. From that date onwards, the Veteran's condition is rated at 20 percent. The case has been remanded for further evaluation regarding bladder impairment secondary to his lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his back conditions and adjustment disorder, have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation since October 22, 2009. The Board has granted TDIU on both an extraschedular basis (prior to February 14, 2011) and on a schedular basis (from February 14, 2011).

The Veteran's service-connected back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are currently rated at 20 percent each. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's lower back, neck, and right hip disabilities. The claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and neck disorders due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the onset of these conditions during or related to active service, as well as whether they are secondary to his service-connected left hip disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to June 24, 2019. A TDIU is granted from July 25, 2013.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent since January 14, 2020. The claim for a higher rating prior to that date has been denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations due to insufficient evidence, including a need for VA examinations and additional medical development.

The Veteran's initial and subsequent ratings for lumbar spine disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 10 percent prior to March 20, 2020 and granted a 20 percent rating from that date onwards.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back condition, specifically whether it is related to service. The claim will be reviewed again with an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lower back disability is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's low back disability is not related to his service and remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has found that additional development is needed due to new VA treatment records, and the cases are being remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities due to non-compliance with previous remand directives and incomplete information regarding his periods of military service.