Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection and higher ratings have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability was incurred in or caused by military service, and therefore grants entitlement to service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and clarification of causation.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was restored to a 40 percent evaluation, and his right and left lower extremity radiculopathy were also restored to their respective higher evaluations. The reduction from the initial ratings did not meet the criteria for restoration.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability as secondary to the Veteran's right talus fracture residuals with fusion and leg length discrepancy. The RO is remanded to consider increased ratings for the right ankle, right knee, left knee, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for neck and low back disorders, right upper extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and a back scar. The Veteran's credible statements of pain in his neck and back have been considered, with the weight of evidence at least in equipoise.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability requires regular aid and attendance, which has been granted SMC.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for lumbosacral strain and TDIU due to issues with scheduling of VA examinations.

The Board has found that the VA examinations for the Veteran's cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, and right upper extremity radiculopathy disabilities are inadequate due to a lack of range-of-motion testing during flares. The claims are being remanded for new VA examinations to address these issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and updated medical records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for numbness of the bilateral hands, feet, a low back disability, and TBI. The claims are now remanded to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for degenerative disease of the lumbar spine, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and right knee joint strain with patellofemoral syndrome due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU based on a single disability (BPH) from April 18, 2020. He also receives SMC at the housebound rate due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions provided were inadequate for adjudicative purposes, and thus the case is being remanded to obtain further evaluations and opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, back spasm, idiopathic urticaria (skin hives), PTSD, and right lower extremity joint issues have been reopened.,Service connection is granted for a lumbar spine disability and left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disorder and bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete records and need for additional examinations. The appellant contends that his current conditions are related to in-service noise exposure, heavy lifting, and an in-service motor vehicle accident.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, previously rated as diffuse arthralgias of low back pain, is not currently manifested by forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine 30 degrees or less, unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine, unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, or favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine. As such, a rating in excess of 20 percent is denied.

The Veteran is granted a temporary total disability rating based on the need for convalescence following surgery associated with his thoracolumbar spine discogenic disease from October 1, 2018, to January 31, 2019.,SMC at the housebound rate is also granted from October 1, 2018, to January 31, 2019. However, further review of his need for aid and attendance and loss of use of extremities is required due to incomplete records.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's low back disability is related to his service, including a fall from a truck in 2009. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection issue.

The appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spinal stenosis with lumbosacral degenerative disc disease is dismissed. Service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is granted.