Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent prior to October 15, 2018. The Board finds the disability picture shown in the October 2018 VA examination report best represents her disability for this period.,The Veteran has multiple service-connected disabilities that require further evaluation and clarification of their etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that his current condition is related to in-service incidents and his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine condition and a left knee condition as secondary to his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 40 percent for the period from August 27, 2007 to July 21, 2013. The Board has determined that additional development is needed due to conflicting evidence regarding the extent of his disability during this time.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for more current examination of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, as the most recent examination is remote and does not reflect the current severity.

The rating reduction from 40 percent to 20 percent for the Veteran's back condition, effective February 1, 2019, was improper and restored. The Veteran is also entitled to a new VA examination to assess his current back conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including PTSD, right shoulder, left shoulder, back, neck, and respiratory conditions are denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for low back disability due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between his current condition and service. The case is now pending with a request for an addendum opinion from the clinician who provided the June 2022 DBQ.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, and degenerative disk disease thoracolumbar spine due to lack of verification of National Guard service and need for VA examinations.

The Board has denied service connection for glaucoma, white matter disease, dementia, lumbar spondylosis, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The claims are based on presumptive service connection due to exposure to ionizing radiation in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The issues of increased ratings for lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of lower extremities, cervical spine disability, and radiculopathy of upper extremities are being returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his lower back condition. The remaining issues of service connection are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including consideration of newly-obtained service records and medical opinions. The appellant's current hearing loss disability does not meet VA criteria for a hearing loss disability. For other conditions, the Board finds that there is no evidence to support their onset in service or relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating and TDIU prior to February 10, 2019 was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate these claims as the Veteran died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to potential increase in severity of his back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and residual surgical scar. The Veteran will be provided with a new VA examination to determine current levels of impairment.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's functional loss and impairment during flare-ups and with repeated use over time.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral foot disorders and lower back disability, as well as related radiculopathy disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations and failure to substantially comply with prior remand directives.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,PTSD was rated at 70 percent prior to September 19, 2020. The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral nystagmus and lumbar spine DJD, both of which are deemed to be related to the Veteran's military service. These decisions are made in favor of the Appellant for purposes of accrued benefits for burial expenses.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including depression, lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, jaw disability, GERD, IBS, and tension headaches. The records will be sought to provide more information on these claims.