Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability was received on January 10, 2017. The Board found that there is no evidence of increased severity during the one-year look back period prior to this date and denied a request for an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment on and after January 23, 2009. Prior to this date, referral for extraschedular TDIU consideration was not warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected failed back syndrome with chronic low back pain. The rating for the other conditions remains unchanged.

The Board has remanded the claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain due to additional relevant evidence being associated with the claims file after the issuance of the June 2018 statement of the case. A supplemental statement of the case must be issued, and a VA examination is required to assess the current severity of the lumbar spine disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and it is now required to obtain a new one that addresses the October 2, 1996 medical evaluation board proceedings.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a lumbar spine condition due to incomplete verification of all periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA. The Veteran's lumbar spine condition is currently diagnosed but its onset or relationship to military service needs further clarification.

The Veteran's back disability is currently rated at 40 percent, effective April 29, 2013. The Board found that the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under either the General Rating Formula or the IVDS Formula.

The Board has restored the Veteran's original 40% rating for lumbar degenerative disc disease, effective October 1, 2015, as the reduction was improper due to an inadequate VA examination report and subsequent evidence suggesting no improvement in disability under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran did not meet the criteria as there was no evidence of a current disability related to an in-service injury or disease. The Board also denied service connection for a cervical spine disability, concluding that the Veteran's current condition is not causally related to his military service.,The Board determined that the Veteran's low back and cervical spine disabilities are not directly linked to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions rendered him so incapable of performing the activities of daily living that he required care or assistance on a regular basis, and his spouse provided this aid and attendance. The Board granted special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's lumbar spine IVDS with DDD was productive of forward flexion of an estimated forward flexion greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees, and muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour. The Board granted a rating of 20 percent for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability, back disability, and bilateral foot disability was granted.,Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral hip condition and a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is service-connected, as her symptoms are linked to an in-service fall and she provided credible testimony supporting this claim.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient reasoning in a previous VA examination and the need for updated medical records. The Veteran's back disorder is being reviewed again to determine if it had its onset during service or is otherwise related to her military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on all issues, including those for increased ratings and service connection. The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's withdrawal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability did not begin during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's left knee condition is caused by his service-connected right foot disability, and the Board has granted service connection for this secondary condition. The back condition claim was remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease, is related to an in-service injury. The Veteran's dizziness is the result of his now service-connected cervical spine disability.,Service connection for bilateral foot disorders and bilateral ankle disorders are remanded.