Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's lumbar strain and degenerative disc disease are rated at 10 percent prior to November 10, 2022, and at 40 percent thereafter. Separate ratings for LLE radiculopathy (rated as 10% since November 27, 2013) and RLE radiculopathy (rated as 10% since June 12, 2019) are granted. Service connection is granted for left foot hallux valgus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and neck disorder due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations. The new examination is required to address the short time between the end of the Veteran's service and his diagnosis, as well as whether his left hip disability either caused or aggravated his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's right knee disability is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for cystic acne and its residuals, to include scarring, is granted. The Veteran's pre-existing condition was not aggravated by service.

The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, effective March 29, 2010.

All appeals for increased ratings and effective dates are dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal of all pending appeals.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of any current low back disorder, including degenerative joint disease. The examiner is requested to provide opinions on whether the Veteran's current low back disorder is related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine and bilateral shoulder disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for chronic low back strain with degenerative disc disease was denied. The evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his symptoms and range of motion.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is currently rated at 40 percent from April 3, 2023. The case remains on appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to that date and any issues related to the increased rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and additional evidence. The Veteran's back disability may be related to service, but a secondary service connection is not warranted without further evidence. For his right elbow disorder, there is no indication of an in-service injury or symptomatology.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability and a back disability, finding that the Veteran's conditions were not incurred or caused by his military service.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for back disability and left knee disability due to incomplete records from the Veteran's periods of incarceration. The case will be readjudicated after obtaining relevant treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for a VA examination to clarify the severity of the Veteran's low back disability and to address issues related to TDIU. The examination will include range of motion testing, assessment of functional impairment due to pain, and evaluation of any flare-ups.

The Veteran's back disability was found to be manifest by flexion greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees, which meets the criteria for a 20 percent rating from December 17, 2018.

Effective from April 29, 2011 to June 30, 2019, the Veteran was granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for his service-connected lumbar spine disability.,From April 11, 2019 to June 30, 2019, the Veteran's TDIU claim for SMC at the housebound rate was denied as he already had a 100% schedular rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and evaluation of his claims, including verification of toxic exposure and provision of medical opinions regarding the etiology of his disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected OSA is granted, and he is awarded TDIU from August 9, 2018. The low back disability, sciatic radiculopathy, and migraine headaches are found to be disabling enough for a TDIU prior to that date.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for head injury, head scar, low back disability, and acquired psychiatric disability due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial in June 2013. The claims are being reopened but not decided on their merits.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, lumbar spine disorder, bilateral hip disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, and bilateral foot disorder are reopened. Service connection is granted for PTSD but denied for a heart disorder. The issues regarding the relationship between service-connected knee disability and the Veteran's lumbar spine, bilateral hip, bilateral ankle, and bilateral foot disorders are remanded.