Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been dismissed due to procedural issues under the AMA system of appeals.,The Board has not had jurisdiction to review these claims as they were improperly docketed in the AMA system.

The Board has granted service connection for upper and lower back conditions, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received, warranting readjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, a digestive disorder, a back disability (claimed as stomach condition), an acquired psychiatric disorder, and bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the reduction in ratings for various disabilities was not proper and has ordered further examination and evaluation to determine if service connection is warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right calf disability, a right arm disability (other than his already service-connected right shoulder disability), and a thoracolumbar spine disability are all denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,For the entire period on appeal, the evidence does not support the presence of any diagnosed right calf, right arm, or thoracolumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's low back disability and lower extremity radiculopathy are currently rated at the minimum compensable level of 10 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for his service-connected lumbosacral strain, finding that the evidence did not support an award of such.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus, hearing loss, back disability, and knee disabilities rendered him unemployable prior to December 17, 2020. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Veteran's GERD and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease have been remanded for further development, including obtaining retrospective medical opinions regarding the severity of his conditions without considering the ameliorative effects of medication.

The Board has restored service connection for residual neuropathy of both buttocks and lower extremities, as related to surgery for pilonidal cystectomies. The claim for entitlement to service connection for a low back condition is reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's kidney disorder, gastroesophageal disorder, gastrointestinal/bowel disorder, headaches, low back disorder, and neck disorder are all remanded for further examination and opinion to determine their etiology. The claims will be considered in light of the Veteran's service in the Gulf War and his reported symptoms during service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and employment information. The low back disability remains on appeal.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a need to ascertain whether a March 2017 VA examination was conducted for the Veteran's ankles.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction is remanded due to the need for an addendum medical opinion.,An earlier effective date prior to August 18, 2017 for the award of service connection for urinary retention with urinary incontinence and recurrent UTIs associated with degenerative disc and joint disease, thoracolumbar spine is denied as it was received on that date or later.,The Veteran's claim for earlier effective date prior to August 18, 2017 for the grant of eligibility for DEA benefits under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 is denied due to lack of permanent and total service-connected disability at the time of the original award.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a new examination being needed for service connection of a lumbar spine disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected lumbar spine disability, finding that his flexion was limited to no more than 40 degrees and did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for prostate cancer has been withdrawn. His TDIU claim is granted, and the Board finds that his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The claims for headaches, hemorrhoids, peripheral neuropathy, skin disorder (other than alopecia areata), and back disability are all remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as low back and neck disabilities. The case is remanded to obtain a VA examination for the claimed low back disability and neck disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for a rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and ratings in excess of 20 percent for radiculopathy of both lower extremities from October 17, 2016. The AOJ is to seek authorization to obtain medical records from Noran Neurology, Neurosurgical Associates, or other providers seen through the Veterans Choice Program.