Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from January 8, 2018, to March 29, 2022.,Prior to January 8, 2018, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability due to issues with substantial compliance and need for an addendum medical opinion.

The Board has dismissed the issues of entitlement to service connection for right arm and right hand disabilities due to the Veteran's withdrawal. The issues of entitlement to service connection for low back and right shoulder disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims for various conditions due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and associated lower extremity radiculopathy require a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic and femoral nerves, chronic maxillary sinusitis, and tension/migraine headaches have been granted initial ratings. The lumbar spine disorder is rated at 40 percent since February 1, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for mechanical low back pain with herniated disc at L3-4, residuals of right ankle fracture, and stress fracture of the right femur were denied as there was no evidence provided by a VA examination due to the Veteran's failure to report.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disability, finding that there was no evidence to support the contention that his current condition is related to military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability, radiculopathy, high blood pressure, and migraines due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 30% prior to January 26, 2016. After total replacement surgery on June 26, 2016, the rating increased to 60%. The left knee disability was initially rated at 10%, and after total replacement surgery in July 2020, it was rated at 60%.,The Veteran's low back disability was initially rated at 20% from June 19, 2015 to April 20, 2023. After the onset of IVDS symptoms on or after April 20, 2023, it was rated at 40%. The right shoulder disability had a rating of 0 prior to June 19, 2015.

The Veteran's low back condition, including lumbar spine degenerative arthritis following surgery, is remanded for further evaluation and an addendum opinion to determine if it is related to service.

The Board has determined that there are outstanding court records, military personnel records, service treatment records (STR), and private treatment medical records. Additionally, the Veteran should receive VA examinations for his claimed disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for low back disability and assigned a noncompensable rating to the Veteran's left foot disability, bilateral testicular torsion s/p orchiotomy, and residual scar associated with bilateral testicular torsion s/p orchiotomy.,For his left foot disability, the Veteran was granted an initial 30 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions in previous examinations, and a new examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's lower back disability was incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, but a higher rating is not warranted due to the lack of forward flexion or ankylosis.,Left lower extremity sciatica was rated at 10 percent prior to February 13, 2017, and granted a 40 percent rating from that date onwards.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, currently diagnosed as arthritis, and tension headaches. Service connection for a bilateral eye condition is denied.,Service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability (diagnosed as arthritis) is granted based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depression, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, tinnitus, residuals of a ganglion scar, sarcoidosis, and headaches, precluded him from securing substantially gainful employment prior to October 11, 2016. As such, TDIU is granted.

The Board denied service connection for a neck and back disability, finding that there was no evidence linking the current disabilities to service or any qualifying period of active duty.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a back disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the failure of the VA to obtain medical opinions and provide proper notice. The claims will be adjudicated again after obtaining necessary information and conducting further examinations.