Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot disability and back disability. The Veteran's preexisting conditions are being considered, and a new VA examination will be scheduled.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted TDIU benefits.

The Veteran's residual scars of the posterior trunk are currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various spinal and extremity conditions due to procedural issues. Further development is needed, including VA examinations.

The Board has restored the previously assigned 40 percent rating for the lumbar spine disability and the previously assigned 20 percent rating for the RLE radiculopathy, effective October 1, 2021.,The reduction in ratings was improper as there is no evidence of actual improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is found to have begun during active service and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis was rated at 20 percent prior to March 1, 2021. The appeal is denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy has been granted with effective dates of March 7, 1981, February 13, 2014, and February 13, 2014 respectively.

The Board has determined that the VA examination and private medical opinion are inadequate for adjudication purposes, necessitating a remand to obtain an addendum medical opinion.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, which resulted in a 40 percent rating, did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it did not result in unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine or the entire spine, or functional equivalent thereof.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 40 percent, and his cervicogenic headaches are rated at 50 percent. The appeal for higher ratings has been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for L3/L4 disc herniation and bilateral radiculopathy of the lower extremities, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to service. The Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptoms have been considered in conjunction with medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left ankle disorders, as well as right and left knee disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.,An effective date prior to November 25, 2019, for the grant of service connection for thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease and cluster headaches is denied.

The reduction of the Veteran's lumbosacral strain disability evaluation from 20 percent to 10 percent was improper due to an inadequate VA examination report, and the 20 percent rating is restored.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left ear hearing loss has been denied as his current level of disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Board is remanding the issues of service connection for low back disability, coronary artery disease (CAD), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's National Guard service dates.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy have resulted in the permanent loss of use of his feet. The Board granted basic eligibility for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted with an effective date of January 19, 2019. The Board found the Veteran was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection as his back condition is not causally or etiologically related to an injury, disease, or incident during service and did not manifest within one year of separation from service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that new and relevant evidence supports the claim. The decision also finds in favor of the Veteran regarding his service connection claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding his left knee condition. The issues of service connection for right knee, back, left hip, and right hip conditions are also remanded.