Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine IVDS and degenerative arthritis, right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, femoral radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, and PTSD with dysthymia have been granted. The Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine IVDS and degenerative arthritis are rated at 40 percent from March 17, 2020.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development, including obtaining an expert opinion to determine if his muscle condition is proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability. The effective dates of all current ratings are also being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for her lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis, and degenerative disc disease from May 18, 2022, and service connection for a psychiatric disability arising from her claim for a higher initial rating for her service-connected low back disorder.

The Veteran's lumbar strain and cervical strain have been granted initial evaluations of 40 percent each, effective December 23, 2016. The dermatitis has also been granted an initial evaluation of 10 percent, effective the same date. Migraines are not entitled to a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disorder, shoulder disorders, low back disorder, and knee disorders are not service-connected. The GI disorder is presumed to be due to Camp Lejeune exposure.,Further examination is needed for the shoulders, low back, knees, and GI issues.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for lumbar strain due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its etiology. The Veteran submitted articles about slip-and-fall injuries on icy surfaces, which were not addressed in the previous VA examination.

The Board dismissed the appeals for increased disability rating and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathy of the sciatic and femoral nerves. The main reasons are for further development, including a new examination to assess current severity.

The Board has granted service connection for a back condition and a neck condition, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are causally related to her military service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran withdrew his appeal of the issues related to traumatic arthritis of the right knee and post-operative ligament injury of the right knee at a hearing before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge. New and material evidence was received to reopen claims of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear information about the Veteran's employment history prior to February 5, 2020. The AOJ is instructed to make reasonable efforts to obtain private medical records and clarify conflicting statements regarding her employment.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability was denied, and the issue of service connection for heart disease was remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder, finding that the Veteran's lumbosacral strain and degenerative spine disease were not incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for thoracolumbar spine disorders, including IVDS and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. Additional development is needed, including obtaining VA treatment records and private medical records from Kaiser Permanente.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including bronchial asthma, thoracolumbar spine disorder, tinnitus, and cervical spine disorder, have prevented him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment since June 22, 2018. The Board has granted a TDIU rating on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for a lower back disorder and for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine range of motion during flare-ups. The case is returned for further development.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of various conditions, including a right shoulder condition, back condition, bilateral knee condition, skin cancer, neck disorder, prostate disorder, otitis externa, and left ear hearing loss. The issues have been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in its previous decision regarding service connection for thoracolumbar spine disability. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed again with a new examination and consideration of whether his condition is related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis, and degenerative disc disease did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.