Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral foot disability, plantar fasciitis, right hip strain, left hip strain, right knee disability, left knee disability, degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, and cervical spine DDD, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since July 20, 2011. The Board has granted TDIU effective from that date.

The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD is currently rated at 40 percent, and his right knee instability is rated separately at 10 percent. The Board has granted a separate rating for the right knee instability.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration of all submitted evidence, including VA treatment records. The AOJ should also consider whether the Veteran is entitled to TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, specifically whether it is a congenital defect or disease and if there was any superimposed injury during service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for cervical, thoracolumbar, and bilateral knee conditions due to insufficient evidence regarding his service connection.

The Veteran's neck disability is rated at 20 percent since August 17, 2017. The previous staged rating period of 10 percent from August 17, 2017 to March 21, 2018 is eliminated.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for service connection have been denied as the earliest possible effective date is October 1, 2016, the day after his separation from active service.,The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on multiple disabilities have been remanded due to new evidence received since the last decision.

The Veteran's bilateral radiculopathy of the lower extremities is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The increased rating for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was rated at 10% from December 7, 2006, to October 25, 2012. The Board granted a rating of 40% for this period.,The Veteran is also granted entitlement to a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine and right knee disabilities have been remanded due to the need for clarification of the severity of his conditions throughout the appeal period.,The Veteran's right knee instability has also been remanded, as there is a need for clarification regarding the impact of medication on his range of motion.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to unresolved issues related to service connection, including exposure to environmental hazards during the Gulf War. The Veteran's mental health conditions and musculoskeletal disabilities are also under consideration.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the VA examinations and the need for additional opinions regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and radiculopathy. The issues of separate ratings for the lumbar spine disability, left and right knee instability, and radiculopathy are being addressed.

The Board has granted service connection for a lower back disability but remanded the issue of service connection for a neck disability due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied service connection for lumbosacral spine disability, allergy to ibuprofen, digestive disorder, and sleep disorder (obstructive sleep apnea) as claimed due to an undiagnosed illness. The Veteran did not have these conditions during active service or experience continuous post-service disability.,Service treatment records showed no complaints of or treatment for lumbosacral spine disability, allergy to ibuprofen, digestive disorder, or sleep disorder (obstructive sleep apnea) at any time during active service.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease with degenerative changes is rated at 40 percent effective January 24, 2022. The claim for a TDIU was denied.

The Veteran's TDIU rating is granted as of January 27, 2011 due to his service-connected disabilities including PTSD and CAD.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent, and he is granted a TDIU from May 1, 2022 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, including diagnoses of nonspecific back pain, degenerative disc disease, chronic lumbar spondylosis, and/or sacroiliitis. The Board found that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service injury.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and DMII were reopened due to new evidence. The right ankle disability appeal was dismissed as the benefit sought has been granted in full. Service connection for dyslipidemia was denied because it is not a qualifying disability for VA purposes. Other issues are remanded for further evaluation.