Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a painful joint disorder (likely rheumatoid arthritis), right hand disorders, back disorders, and right knee disorders. The Board finds that further development is needed in these areas.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral knee disability and granted separate ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The claim for an increased rating for the Veteran's back disability was denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient clarification from the July 2021 VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's congenital stenosis was clearly and unmistakably not aggravated during service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to ionizing radiation during service, which could impact his claims for hairy cell leukemia and its secondary conditions. The VA will need to conduct further development in this regard.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and right shoulder disabilities due to inadequate examinations in prior decisions.

The Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance is remanded due to the need for a new evaluation considering his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the merits has been dismissed. The Board found that there was no evidence to support the claims and the appeals were not properly perfected.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to missing service treatment records and a need for an in-person VA examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with these additional pieces of evidence.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine from January 23, 2013, finding that the Veteran's condition warranted such an increase based on his symptoms and findings at the August 2013 VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for migraines has been granted, and she is now receiving a 50% rating. She also received a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to her migraine headaches since January 1, 2018. Additionally, she was awarded special monthly compensation at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the diabetes mellitus, umbilical hernia, and right eyelid condition issues. The Veteran's migraine headaches and acquired psychiatric condition (including MDD and PTSD) have been granted.,Issues related to spastic duodenal bulb, asthma, bilateral hips, bilateral feet, hiatal hernia, bilateral knees, skin condition, left finger, bilateral elbows, bilateral hands, malaria symptoms, lazy esophageal sphincter, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, ischemic colitis, IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), diverticulitis, low back, and neck conditions have been remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's TDIU claim due to evidence showing his service-connected disabilities make him unable to work in a physical environment, and he is not meeting the schedular requirements for a TDIU. The case will be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability did not have its onset during service and is unrelated to any in-service injury or event, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back disability and radiculopathy, as well as service connection for a right shoulder condition and neck condition. The issues are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a low back disability due to inadequate opinions and need for further development. The case will be reviewed with a new medical opinion.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated as 10 percent for the period prior to May 7, 2012 and from October 25, 2017 to February 5, 2018. The appeal is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the severity of his disability during other periods on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of PTSD was denied as the severity, frequency, and duration of his symptoms did not more closely approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.,Service connection for a left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, left wrist condition, low back condition, left leg condition, and left ankle condition were all denied due to lack of evidence showing these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his low back condition and for an earlier effective date prior to January 31, 2018, for a grant of TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has denied service connection for a low back disorder and allergy-induced asthma. The case is REMANDED to obtain additional medical evidence regarding the Veteran's right and left knee disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left and right knee disorders. The claim for secondary service connection of a low back disorder related to his knee and foot disabilities is remanded.