Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for low back disability and right knee disability due to incomplete development of service treatment records, particularly regarding a parachuting accident in 1980. The VA is required to obtain these records and schedule the appellant for a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate VA examinations and incomplete evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's statements and lack of supporting evidence. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a back disability, but the VA examiner found too many inconsistencies and insufficient evidence to support the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's back disability, specifically his active duty for training in August 2010. The Veteran needs a new VA opinion to determine if his back disability was incurred during this period.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is now rated at 40 percent effective August 20, 2019. The earlier effective date for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity has been granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine scoliosis and cervical spine strain due to a material change in severity of his disabilities, requiring further examination.

The Board has denied service connection for headaches and hypertension (high blood pressure), but has remanded the issue of service connection for a low back condition.

An increased 50 percent rating for a thoracic/lumbar spine disability is granted.,Prior to June 21, 2019, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude substantially gainful employment. Since June 21, 2019, his acquired psychiatric disability has made it impossible for him to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.,Since June 21, 2019, the Veteran is granted TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of development and further examination. The claims will be reviewed again with additional information from his medical records, participation in TERAs, and other relevant evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lower back condition, annular fissure at L4-5, and mild degenerative changes of the spine. The disability is rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and service connection for hypertension due to a lack of current VA examination reports. The Veteran failed to report for scheduled examinations, which requires denial of these claims without further evidence.

Service connection for a lumbar spine disability currently diagnosed as degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine, lumbar spondylosis, and degeneration of lumbar intervertebral disc is granted.,Service connection for fibromyalgia is granted. Effective October 30, 2015, a rating of 50 percent, but no higher, for tension headaches is granted.,Effective October 30, 2015, the effective date for service connection for TMJ (claimed as right jaw) is set at July 13, 2004. A TDIU is also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lower back, left ankle, right ankle, left knee, right knee, left wrist, and right wrist disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions addressing service connection.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability can be adjudicated. The claims file must be updated with the Veteran's SSA records and earning reports, and the case will be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The opinions are needed to determine if OSA is caused or aggravated by asthma, and whether obesity/weight gain is a substantial factor in causing OSA. Additionally, the examiner must consider all lay evidence, including the Veteran's statements.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a VA examination to determine if his current back disability is related to service or preexisting asymptomatic scoliosis, and whether any increase in severity during service.

The Board has remanded the case to refer the issue of TDIU prior to June 22, 2012 for extraschedular consideration. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet schedular requirements for TDIU but may warrant referral for extraschedular review.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is rated at 40 percent effective November 6, 2017. The right ankle disorder is rated at 20 percent effective March 23, 2020.

The Board has denied earlier effective dates for TDIU, DEA, and SMC for housebound status. The claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is remanded to obtain a medical opinion.