Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, which render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the remand is necessary due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's pes planus, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disabilities. The issues of service connection for these conditions are being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathies are granted a 40 percent rating throughout the appeal period. The Veteran's lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) and degenerative joint disease (DJD) is granted a 40 percent rating, but higher ratings for other radiculopathy conditions are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include right foot conditions, trigger finger of the right hand, and a thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and the Veteran's health issues preventing a physical examination. The case will be reviewed again with a new VA medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for fatigue, headaches, acquired psychiatric condition (including PTSD and depression), dizziness, and a back condition due to procedural issues and the need for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal disabilities, including left and right hip, knee, ankle, and foot conditions. The issues are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these disabilities.

The Board has determined that the withholding of VA compensation benefits to recoup separation pay in the amount of $23,484.38 was proper and this appeal is denied as a matter of law.

The Veteran's lower back disorder and radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities are rated at 20 percent, effective June 19, 2015. The rating for thoracolumbar spine discogenic degenerative joint disease with facet joint arthritis is denied.

The Veteran's claim for SMC at the housebound rate is denied as he does not meet the threshold requirements for such a grant due to his service-connected disabilities and their ratings.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbosacral strain disability and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), finding that there was no medical evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active duty service or to another service-connected disability.,Specifically, the Board found that the current low back disability is not related to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. The examiner concluded that the Veteran's IBS is idiopathic and unrelated to his anxiety disorder.

Service connection is granted for sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder, and degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder. Service connection is also granted for degenerative arthritis of the left ankle and right ankle.

The Board has decided to remand several claims for further action, including obtaining SSA records and considering the Veteran's entitlement to TDIU and SMC.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations to determine the severity of his service-connected back and bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and inadequate opinions regarding secondary service connection. The issues of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and irritable bowel syndrome are now before the AOJ.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability due to incomplete development and lack of an examination.

The Board has decided to remand the previously denied claims of service connection for low back disability, bilateral knee disability, heart disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. Additional VA treatment records must be obtained and considered.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder is denied as there is no evidence of chronicity in service or continuity post-service, and the medical opinion does not support a nexus with service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of STDs is denied as there is no current diagnosis of such conditions and they are not related to his service.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection of a left ankle disorder and denied his claim for service connection of a thoracolumbar spine disorder due to lack of evidence supporting a nexus between these conditions and military service.

The Board has granted an effective date of October 28, 2015 for the grant of a 20 percent rating for right lower extremity femoral radiculopathy. The issues regarding increased ratings for spondylosis with central stenosis, herniated disc with displacement, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy are remanded.