Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for eczema, left knee disability, right knee disability, and back disability are being remanded to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and service connection for depression. The effective date of any award will be determined based on the evidence presented.

The Board has decided that an effective date prior to September 28, 2015, for the award of a 20 percent rating for low back strain is denied. The issue of entitlement to a higher rating for the acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending and requires further examination.

The Board has restored the Veteran's disability ratings for his lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities to their previous levels, effective September 21, 2017, as the reduction was improper due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period prior to September 3, 2013 was denied as his increase in disability and worsening of symptoms were factually ascertainable on a date specific in the year prior to September 3, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The erectile dysfunction with penile implant, TBI residuals with headaches, and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine are all rated at their maximum levels.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance for menthol/M-salicylate topical cream and capsaicin cream is denied as there is no service-connected skin condition, and the creams do not cause irreparable damage to his outer garments.

The Veteran's appeals for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for various conditions have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have made it impossible for him to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to her service-connected low back and left knee disabilities, finding that she is not precluded from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, and right knee disability due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions. The claims are also being remanded for a retrospective opinion on the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's lower back disability was rated at 20 percent from April 5, 2021. The Board found that the disability did not meet criteria for a higher rating due to limited range of motion and no ankylosis.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating. The ratings for right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, left lower extremity sciatic nerve radulopathy, and left lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy are also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and remanded the issue of secondary service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome to include as secondary to service-connected residuals of a ganglion cyst of the right wrist.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) were granted initial disability ratings. The lumbar spine was rated at 40 percent from October 11, 2016 to February 22, 2018. The right lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve) received a higher rating of 20 percent from February 22, 2018.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the Veteran's service connection claims for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for recurrent hip and knee disabilities, as well as a recurrent lumbar spine disability and obstructive sleep apnea due to potential errors in the initial decision.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hip disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and lower back disorder have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a relationship to service.,Service connection cannot be established for these conditions due to the lack of in-service injury, disease, or continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disorder, left knee disorder, blood clots, and bilateral hearing loss due to new evidence received since the August 2019 rating decision. The claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disorder is not being readjudicated as there was no new and relevant evidence submitted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, lumbar spine disability, sciatic nerve radiculopathy, femoral nerve radiculopathy, hemorrhoids, left foot bunion, erectile dysfunction, and human papillomavirus, prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.