Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the appropriate ratings for various disabilities, including right and left foot hallux valgus, cervical spine disability, knee disabilities, ankle disabilities, heart disease, and bilateral insertional tendonitis. The claims are being remanded to obtain necessary examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a low back disability has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the claim for a VA examiner to provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's service-connected left knee and foot disabilities caused or aggravated his low back disability, including thoracolumbar arthritis and right hemilaminectomy.

Service connection is granted for deviated septum, back disability (lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis), left elbow lateral epicondylitis, left wrist tendonitis, psychiatric disorder (anxiety disorder), non-allergic rhinitis, enlarged tonsils, anemia, and disability manifested by widespread muscle and joint pain.,Service connection is denied for tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations of his acquired psychiatric disorder, right knee tendinitis with degenerative arthritis, and other conditions has been withdrawn. The VA is remanding the claims for service connection for various conditions due to toxic exposure risk activity (TERA).,The VA is remanding the claims for service connection for a back condition, headaches, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, bilateral leg condition, functional dysphagia, and chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease, PTSD, and TBI are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the incident at Fort Campbell in June 2006.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's request to appeal the proposal to reduce his disability rating for lumbar degenerative disc disease because the AOJ had not yet issued a decision finalizing the reduction.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with DDD is granted a disability rating of 40 percent, effective July 8, 2016.,Service connection for left and right sciatic nerve radiculopathy is denied prior to September 28, 2017.,Service connection for depressive disorder is granted from May 10, 2016.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's lumbar spine L1 minimal wedging, finding that his disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability necessitates his need for regular aid and assistance of another individual to assist in bathing, preparing meals, tending to hygiene needs, and managing medication. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to duty-to-assist errors. The low back disability claim is also being remanded as there are issues with obtaining relevant medical records and an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability was granted with an effective date of September 13, 2019. The decision is based on the submission of a proper VA Form 21-526EZ within one year of the initial denial in July 1986.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of March 1, 2020, but no earlier, for the 40 percent increased evaluation of lumbar degenerative arthritis is granted. The earliest effective date assignable is the date the Veteran submitted his intent to file form on March 1, 2020.

The Veteran's TDIU was not based on a single service-connected disability alone, and he does not have a single 100% rated service-connected disability with additional disabilities independently ratable at 60%. Therefore, SMC for housebound status is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disability, left knee disability, right ankle disability, right foot disability, and left foot disability due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether these disabilities are at least as likely as not related to service.

The Veteran's current back disability is related to service and the Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the failure to schedule VA examinations in Panama or Florida, where he was residing at the time. The AOJ must reschedule these exams and address the functional effects of his service-connected disabilities on his employment.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on four different conditions (back, hypertension, right knee, and left knee disabilities) has been dismissed due to the accredited representative withdrawing all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding service connection claims and TDIU. The VA will schedule examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his low back, neck, and hip disabilities as secondary to his service-connected right leg amputation.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are being remanded due to incomplete STRs and inadequate VA examination.