Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including reopening of service connection for various conditions and entitlement to service connection. The decision also emphasizes the need to obtain any outstanding private treatment records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck and back disabilities, but has remanded them due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical and lumbar spine disorders due to incomplete records from his service period. A new examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of both the increased rating claim for back disability and the TDIU claim. The Veteran's service-connected back disability is being reviewed to determine if it results in functional equivalent of ankylosis, which would affect his increased rating claim.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for low back disorder and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's reports of in-service injury and ongoing symptoms are considered, as well as the delayed appearance of spinal abnormalities on imaging.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU) was dismissed because he did not provide the necessary evidence within the required timeframe.

The Veteran's service connection for lumbosacral spine arthritis and cervical spine arthritis was granted, but the claims of higher ratings were denied. Service connection for a disability manifested by chronic fatigue was also granted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 10 percent prior to April 16, 2019 and 40 percent thereafter. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating for any portion of the period on appeal.,For the period from April 16, 2019 onwards, the Veteran's lumbar spine disability has not been manifested by ankylosis or its functional equivalent.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent prior to July 27, 2023. From July 27, 2023, he is granted separate ratings for left and right knee extension.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 30 percent, which is currently assigned.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension on a direct basis, but the claims for lumbar spine disability and enlarged prostate are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar intervertebral disc disorder is rated at 40 percent, the highest available rating. The other issues related to hip strain are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various recurrent disabilities, including knee, foot, spine, and eye conditions. The decision also notes that active duty records are incomplete due to unverified periods with the Navy Reserve.

The Board has determined that additional evidence was added to the record since the last decision and requires further consideration. The claims for service connection are being remanded for this purpose.

The Board has granted service connection for lower back, left knee, and right knee disabilities. The Veteran's conditions are deemed to have begun during active military service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the claims of increased disability rating for lumbosacral strain, service connection for right and left lower extremity disorders, and total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU) as they are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD and radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve have been granted increased ratings to 40 percent since September 20, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and chronic fatigue syndrome, have resulted in a combined rating of 100 percent from January 24, 2017 to August 3, 2023. Effective August 3, 2023, the Veteran is granted a TDIU based on service-connected chronic fatigue syndrome alone.

The Veteran's sinusitis with headaches was granted a disability rating of 30 percent prior to December 6, 2022. The maximum schedular rating of 50 percent for sinusitis from December 6, 2022, has been granted. For the lumbar degenerative changes with herniated L5-S1 disc, an initial disability rating greater than 40 percent prior to January 7, 2014, was denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder has been granted a 40 percent rating from April 6, 2012 and continuing thereafter.