Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee, lumbosacral spine, left leg, and left hip disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine condition is currently rated at 20 percent, with a combined ROM of the thoracolumbar spine of 95 degrees. The rating is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher disability level.,Both right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are currently rated at 20 percent and 10 percent respectively. The ratings are denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher disability level.

The appeal has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The issues related to service connection and rating increases are not addressed as they pertain to a deceased Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 25, 2019, for a 20 percent rating for cervical spine degenerative disc disease was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 25, 2019, for a 40 percent rating for persistent depressive disorder was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Parkinson's disease and its associated conditions, have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment since May 22, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected low back disability and left sciatic nerve radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal. The claims for service connection were not addressed as they are now moot.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are significant, but his employment status is unclear. The Board finds a pre-duty to assist error and remands for clarification of the Veteran's work status since November 2020.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for migraines, chronic pain syndrome, and low back pain due to a lack of VA attempts to obtain relevant medical records. The Veteran's lay statements and a non-VA orthopedic surgeon's opinion will be addressed in the examination.

The Veteran's back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted effective July 1, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since December 13, 2018.

The Veteran's PTSD with Bipolar Disorder, Anxious Distress, and Alcohol Use Disorder was restored to a 50% rating effective February 1, 2020.,An initial 10% rating for the service-connected low back disability is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including multiple myeloma and back disability with associated neuropathy, meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU prior to August 10, 2022. The case is being remanded for further adjudication.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection of bilateral knee condition, back disability, headaches, and acquired psychiatric condition are remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to duty-to-assist errors and insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals of service connection for neck disability, back disability, right knee fracture, and right thigh fracture as they were already pending in the legacy system.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD, is service connected.,Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are also service connected.

The Veteran's migraine headaches and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and cervical spine have been granted increased ratings to 30 percent, effective from November 8, 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability and unspecified depressive disorder with alcohol and cocaine abuse rendered him unable to maintain gainful employment prior to February 11, 2020. The Board granted his claim for a TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, neck disability, left arm nerve disability, and right arm nerve disability. The conditions are found to be related to the Veteran's in-service injury.