Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and sciatic nerve radiculopathy are being remanded due to conflicting statements regarding ambulation in the VA examination reports.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to decide the claims for service connection and rating increases. The Veteran's VA treatment records, CAPRI records, and examinations are being requested.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis was denied, and his claim for service connection for a foot disorder was also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist disorder, hepatitis C, back disorder, and bilateral hearing loss due to outstanding treatment records and the need for additional medical opinions. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for various disabilities have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 10 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,A 10 percent rating is granted for his hernia scar due to pain.,The Veteran's TBI is currently rated as non-compensable. A separate 10 percent rating is granted for his headache disorder secondary to TBI.,The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating for any of his conditions.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed for the issue of service connection for a low back disorder, which was previously remanded. The case will be returned to the RO for further review.

The Veteran's back condition, which includes degenerative disc disease of the thoracic and lumbar spine, is granted a disability rating of 40 percent from January 23, 2012 to May 30, 2013. This decision resolves an earlier denial by the Board.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability due to new and material evidence, but has denied the claim on the merits.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service. However, it denied service connection for a low back disability, concluding that there is no evidence linking the current condition to his military service.,Service connection was granted for the right ankle disability based on medical opinions indicating an in-service injury and chronic conditions post-service. The low back disability claim was denied due to lack of evidence connecting the current condition to service.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for coccydynia, post-operative (lumbar spine disability) is granted at a 20 percent level since September 2, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for additional medical opinions. The issues include psychiatric, back, knee, and visual acuity disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum rating available under current criteria.,The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 30 percent and the Board denied an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for intervertebral disc syndrome, lumbar radiculopathy (right sciatic and right femoral nerves), and TDIU due to a lack of compliance with Correia v. McDonald requirements in the July 2020 VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his exposure to hazardous materials during service, particularly AFFF and lead paint. The claims are now pending again with instructions to prepare an Individual Longitudinal Exposure Record (ILER) and obtain further opinions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated as noncompensable (0 percent) since the January 2011 VA examination. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.,Service connection for pterygium, onychomycosis, keratitis with bilateral dry eyes, and corneal pannus have been remanded as there is insufficient information regarding the competency of the VA examiners who conducted these examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for a retrospective VA medical opinion to assess the Veteran's ability to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities from June 28, 2011, to October 6, 2011.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding private medical records and missing service treatment records. The Veteran is considered a Persian Gulf veteran, and additional opinions are needed regarding his diagnoses of right shoulder strain, left shoulder strain, right knee strain, and patellofemoral syndrome.

The Board has granted service connection for lower back, cervical spine, and right knee disorders based on credible testimony of in-service injuries during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected lumbar strain, maxillary sinusitis, and functional diarrhea with hematochezia are being remanded due to procedural issues. Further examinations are needed to address the adequacy of the current evidence.