Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and following any substantially gainful occupation prior to October 22, 2020.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a low back condition due to insufficient evidence and the need for further development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been granted. The remaining claims have been denied or are being remanded.,Service connection was not established for the following conditions: back disorder, psychiatric disorder, bilateral eye disorder, respiratory disorder, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, right upper extremity disorder, left upper extremity disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder. Hypertension is currently under review.

The Veteran's lumbar spine condition, characterized by IVDS with DDD and Sacroiliac Condition, is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to lack of forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or favorable ankylosis.,The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board granted a 30 percent rating for GERD, effective from February 10, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a left shoulder disability, and a low back disability have been denied as the evidence does not support that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her service-connected lumbar spine disability due to insufficient evidence in the record regarding the severity of her condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and a need for an additional medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine strain with scoliosis and his right upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from July 21, 2015 to November 20, 2019 due to his service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current left ankle disability or bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy at any time during the pendency of the claim.,There is also no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and a left knee disability.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection for lumbar spine disability and neck disability. The Veteran's PTSD remains at a 70% rating since September 5, 2017. Tinnitus is not rated higher than the current 10% due to lack of separate evaluations for each ear.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted a 40 percent rating effective April 1, 2014. The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70 percent rating effective August 16, 2022.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of her PTSD and lumbosacral strain, as well as an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of her back disability. The issues of rating PTSD and service connection for lumbosacral strain are being remanded.

The Board has granted a 40 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected chronic lumbar strain, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial evaluation for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is remanded due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, a need for another VA examination, and potential additional range of motion loss.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and liver cancer due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's representative requested that VA complete the required evaluations based on the medical evidence of record, but the AOJ did not provide new opinions. Another remand is needed.

The Veteran's DDD and IVDS of the lumbar spine are rated at 40 percent, effective December 27, 2021. The rating is denied as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to new evidence. However, it was denied as there is no current disability found.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent since April 3, 2018. The Board finds a need for additional medical evidence to determine if the disability warranted a higher rating prior to that date.,The Veteran's lumbar spine DJD and DDD warrant an increased rating beyond the current 40 percent assigned. A remand is required to assess the severity of his condition, including whether functional equivalent of ankylosis exists due to painful flare-ups.,A compensable initial rating for scars associated with back surgery and left shoulder surgery is needed as the Veteran reported painful flare-ups but no estimated loss of motion was provided by the VA examiner.,The Veteran's scar on his midline lumbar spine requires a remand to assess its severity, including whether it meets criteria for a compensable initial rating.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for back disability and vertigo due to errors in previous decisions, lack of proper medical opinions, and need for further examinations.

The Board has remanded several service connection and rating issues due to the Veteran not responding to a request for waiver of AOJ consideration of new evidence.