Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, in combination, precluded him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment. TDIU benefits are granted from June 5, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for increases in the staged ratings assigned for his back disability is remanded due to insufficient information regarding the severity of his condition throughout the appeal period and whether medication ameliorates his symptoms.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed to determine the nature and likely cause of any lumbar spine, left hip, and left knee disabilities. The issues remain in remanded status.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to issues related to his back condition, shoulder strains, and radiculopathies. The AOJ must issue a Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is denied as the form 21-8940 was not returned by the Veteran within one year of being requested.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for PTSD, lumbosacral strain, right knee strain, left knee strain, and anemia due to missing VA medical records and the need for updated examinations. The effective date is not addressed in this decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral knee and ankle disabilities due to insufficient medical guidance on their etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lower back disorder due to the need to obtain additional medical records and determine if there are any VA or private treatment records related to the Veteran's back pain.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20% from October 1, 2017 to February 8, 2023. The claim for a higher rating beyond this period was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for an extension of a temporary total rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.30 or for a rating in excess of 40%.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions due to new and material evidence having been received. The claims are now pending for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to address whether there were adequate medical opinions regarding functional loss due to flare-ups and repetitive use over time, as well as the cause of any abnormal gait.

The Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as lumbar disc disease, is now granted.,Service connection for the right heel disability remains pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine and service connection for actinic keratosis are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and clarification of medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection on multiple conditions is being remanded due to the need for VA examinations and medical opinions. The claims include asthma, chronic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, a skin condition, sleep apnea (to include as secondary to PTSD), GERD, low back disability, neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and tinnitus.

The petition to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for bilateral pes planus is denied.,The petition to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for a low back disability is denied. The appeal is remanded due to new evidence.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and acquired psychiatric disorder are all granted as service-connected due to continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a back condition, including as due to a right knee disability is being remanded due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle disability and back disability, as well as increased ratings for PTSD and tendonitis of the left ankle, are denied due to failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU is abandoned due to failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's back disability was rated at 10 percent from January 1, 2013 to April 27, 2014. The rating is denied for a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's low back disability is secondary to his service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis.