Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathies are currently rated at 10 percent each, with no higher ratings granted. The Board found the evidence insufficient to warrant a higher rating based on functional loss or impairment due to pain.

The Veteran's bilateral flatfoot with plantar fasciitis was granted a rating of 10% effective June 30, 2020.,The Veteran's mood disorder with depressive features was granted a rating of 30% effective January 18, 2021.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for left knee, right knee, and lower back disabilities are remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The VA examinations provided were inadequate for adjudication.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disability and a left knee disability due to duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran's conditions are related to his service-connected right knee and left ankle disabilities, but further medical opinions are needed to address causation and aggravation.

The Board has remanded the claims for low back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, right foot disability, and left foot disability due to incomplete medical records and a need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the severity of the Veteran's low back disability during flare-ups. The Veteran is also pending an earlier effective date for TDIU and DEA benefits.

The Board has found that there are outstanding VA treatment records and pre-decisional duty to assist errors regarding the Veteran's tinnitus claim. The claims for service connection for COPD, OSA, PTSD, anxiety, depression, and a low back condition are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to determine if the Veteran was in a period of Active Duty Training (ACDUTRA) or Inactive Duty Training (INACDUTRA) during motor vehicle accidents that likely caused their low back and right shoulder disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and left eye disability due to conflicting medical opinions. The evidence does not establish a direct link between the claimed conditions and service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent, and his hip and thigh disabilities are rated at noncompensable. The Board finds no basis to grant higher ratings for any of these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for avascular necrosis, left femoral head, feet pain, eye problems, neck disability, insomnia, right knee disability, left knee disability, and right hip disability as there is no evidence of these conditions during active duty or within a year of discharge. The Veteran did not provide sufficient evidence to establish that any of the claimed disabilities were incurred in service.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability and a lumbar spine disability, finding that these conditions are etiologically related to active service.

The Veteran's claims for rectal disease, acquired psychiatric disorder, IBS, and chronic fatigue syndrome are denied as there is no current disability. The claim for fibromyalgia is remanded due to the need for a medical opinion.,The Veteran's back condition claims (right lower extremity neurological disorder, left lower extremity neurological disorder) are also remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding reductions in ratings and claims for additional disability compensation due to a lack of proper Notice of Disagreement (NOD) form.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected PTSD, lumbar spine strain, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for back, neck, and skin disorders due to missing service treatment records. The AOJ should attempt to obtain these records or make a formal finding if they are unavailable.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as she has withdrawn her claims for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left hip stress fracture, service connection for low back strain, an anxiety condition, and PTSD.

The Board has denied service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability due to the absence of evidence of current disability.,The Veteran's claim for sleep disorder is remanded as there was no VA examination or opinion regarding her claimed condition.,The Veteran's cervical dystonia claim is remanded as she did not receive an appropriate medical opinion from a neurologist regarding aggravation by service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's head tremors and tension headaches claims are remanded due to the inextricability of these issues with her cervical dystonia claim.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted as service-connected, while the cervical, left knee, right knee, and right shoulder disabilities are remanded for further examination.