Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back condition, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, left knee condition, and left ankle condition due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was not rated higher than 10 percent prior to February 12, 2015 and not higher than 20 percent after that date.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability due to additional development and obtaining medical opinions.

The Veteran's back disability is currently rated at 40 percent from August 3, 2022. The evidence does not support a higher rating as there is no indication of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU prior to February 29, 2016. The Board referred the issue of entitlement to a TDIU to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for clarification regarding when favorable ankylosis began, as well as whether unfavorable ankylosis is present. The examiner must address these issues in their assessment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including kidney disorder, migraine headaches, depression, and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease (low back pain), have been remanded due to the need for further development.,Service connection has been granted for migraine headaches.

The Veteran's L4-5 degenerative disc disease is granted an initial rating of 20 percent effective January 11, 2016. Service connection for right knee osteoarthritis and thrombocytopenia are granted. The left knee disability and bilateral ankle disabilities are denied.

The Veteran was granted an extraschedular TDIU from November 9, 2012 to December 13, 2012 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and allergies, but denied reopening of the claims for degenerative joint disease of the knees and depression. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of back condition, cervical spine condition, and allergies.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was denied in January 2007. The Board has now reopened the claim due to new and material evidence, but has remanded it for further development as the VA examination is inadequate.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for gastrointestinal, bilateral knee, left shoulder, and back conditions due to inadequate opinions in the January 2020 VA examination reports.,Additional development is needed to obtain an adequate opinion regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine condition, and a new VA examination is needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy due to inadequate VA examination reports. The Veteran is also on appeal for a TDIU prior to June 19, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, bilateral eye disorder, and chest disorder are being remanded due to the need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for low back strain and hemorrhoids secondary to his service-connected conditions has been granted. His left knee disability is rated at the highest possible rating based on limitation of motion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches, TMJ disorder, and a back disability have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The cases are now remanded for further development.,Service connection will be determined based on whether there is a link between the current conditions and military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate notice being sent to the Veteran's custodian/VA-appointed fiduciary for a VA examination. The examiner will determine if the Veteran's current low back disability is related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the severity of the Veteran's low back disability and its associated radiculopathy. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to assess these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bronchial asthma, bilateral flat feet, and low back condition due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's claims are reopened but denied.