Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's heart condition, supraventricular tachycardia, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.,An initial disability rating of 30 percent for the Veteran's migraine headache disorder is granted.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, kidney disease, hypertension, hemorrhoids, hyperlipidemia, and a back condition have been denied as the evidence does not support a relationship to service.,Service connection is denied for all claimed conditions due to lack of in-service event or injury, no continuity of symptomatology, and insufficient medical evidence linking any current disability to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder is related to his active-duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for his lumbar spine and left knee disabilities, as well as his claim for a TDIU. The issues are being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder has been readjudicated, with the Board finding that new and relevant evidence supports her claim. Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for lower back disability and right leg numbness due to an injury sustained during ACDUTRA in May 2011. The AOJ is required to schedule a new VA examination to address whether these conditions are related to the claimed injury.

The Board has remanded the claims for compensation under 38 USC � 1151 due to a duty to assist error in obtaining VA treatment records and failing to obtain an appropriate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's conditions are related to his 1992 VA treatment.

The Board has decided to remand the issue of service connection for a back disability due to insufficient evidence in the original decision. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed again with new medical opinions.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received sufficient to readjudicate the claims for service connection for OSA, neck condition, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, left elbow condition, and back condition. The AOJ is required to obtain a VA medical opinion addressing the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board found that the reduction of the Veteran's disability rating from 20% to 10% for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was improper and restored her original 20% rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound status due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, increased rating for PTSD, and TDIU due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran is required to be afforded a VA examination for his low back disability claim, and efforts must be made to obtain records of his PTSD groups at Dallas VA.

The Board has determined that the AOJ decision on appeal is not final due to procedural errors and requires further action, including a new underwriting numerical rating sheet.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability was not productive of forward flexion to 60 degrees or less, combined range of motion to 120 degrees or less, or muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or spinal contour prior to March 2, 2020. From March 2, 2020 onwards, the disability was not productive of forward flexion to 30 degrees or less, favorable ankylosis, or its functional equivalent.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy was manifest by no more than moderate incomplete paralysis and his left lower extremity radiculopathy was also manifest by no more than moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's GERD is granted as service-connected, with a current disability rating of at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.,An initial 50% disability rating for migraine headaches is granted, based on very frequent and completely prostrating attacks.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including back, neck, left leg, right leg, left hand neurological, left hand (other than a left hand neurological disability), right hand, left arm neurological, left arm (other than a left arm neurological disability), right arm, head injury, collarbone, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities due to the absence of service treatment records. The Veteran's statements regarding an in-service explosion are considered credible.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding service connection for a thoracic spine disability. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed again with new evidence and an appropriate VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his DDD of the lumbar spine was remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding the extent and frequency of his symptoms, with some examinations indicating he could function without significant limitations while others noted flare-ups resulting in bed rest.

The Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for lower back and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating higher than 20 percent for both conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 40 percent from October 23, 2020 and a higher rating for this condition is denied.