Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination to address the nature and etiology of the appellant's ED, low back disability, bilateral lower extremity TTS, and PTSD. The claims are also being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of the service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate August 2014 VA examination, which did not address service treatment records and Veteran's lay statements. The case is now pending for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back condition and tinnitus due to outstanding private treatment records and U.S. Postal Service duty limitations.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for a psychiatric disorder due to lack of sufficient evidence and need for further development.

The Veteran's back disability is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.,Service connection for dysarthria (speech difficulty) granted as it is proximately due to his service-connected TBI.

The Veteran's lower back disorder and related radiculopathy have been granted a 20% disability rating, effective July 24, 2014. The TDIU was also granted as of January 5, 2022.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to September 30, 2020, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's low back disability and his military service, particularly the November 1993 injury. The VA needs to obtain a new opinion addressing the relevant evidence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen her claims for service connection for low back pain, pes planus, and hammer toes. Service connection is now established for these conditions.,Secondary service connection was granted for a low back disability related to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine disorder and osteoarthritis of multiple joints due to inadequate medical opinions in previous VA examinations. The AOJ is instructed to obtain new VA medical opinions that consider the Veteran's service, lay statements, and symptoms during service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for chronic headaches and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed. The appeals for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a left wrist disability are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status prior to October 10, 2014, is denied as he does not meet the threshold requirements for SMC housebound benefits.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed psychiatric, back, jaw, and bilateral hearing loss disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain. The case is remanded to address the earlier effective date for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine disorder, headache disorder, and nosebleed disorder due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating and TDIU prior to March 7, 2013 is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the severity of his lumbar spine disability.

Service connection is granted for spinal stenosis and IVDS, bilateral radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and depression.,Service connection is denied for gout.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability had its onset during service and is granting service connection for it. However, the rating for his scar needs to be remanded as there was testimony indicating a change in severity since the last examination. The right leg condition and low back strain are also being remanded due to new evidence provided by the Veteran.

The Veteran's TDIU is granted with an effective date of January 27, 2011. Special monthly compensation for the appeal period from May 29, 2014 to May 18, 2018 is also granted.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's right shoulder strain is currently rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating permitted for limitation of motion of the arm of the major extremity.