Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

Service connection for bilateral pes planus, low back condition, and bilateral hip condition has been denied.,The claim for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis is pending and will be remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for several issues, including initial compensable rating for atopic dermatitis and service connection for PTSD, unspecified depressive disorder and moderate alcohol use disorder, sleep disturbances, chronic headaches, keratitis/corneal ulcer, chronic bronchitis, sinusitis, enlarged cervical right side submandibular lymph node, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and muscle and joint pain (unspecified).

The Board has dismissed the appeal as it was improperly docketed under the legacy appeals system due to the Veteran's valid opt-in to the AMA system via a RAMP election form. The case is now addressed in a separate decision under the AMA.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The lumbar spine disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral hearing loss claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for secondary service connection for a back disability and right knee disability, both related to his service-connected left knee disability. The claim for secondary service connection of a left shoulder disability is remanded.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to April 4, 2019 due to his service-connected lumbar disability. He also receives special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate as he has other service-connected disabilities rated at least 60 percent combined with a single 100% disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete service medical records. The Veteran's active duty and Army Reserve service are acknowledged, but further efforts must be made to obtain his complete service medical records.

The Board has remanded the claims for erectile dysfunction, back condition, right knee condition, left knee condition, hypertension, bladder incontinence, and headaches due to insufficient rationale provided by the VA examiner.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to address all theories of entitlement to service connection for the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, including direct service connection and aggravation by service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back condition. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a back condition, and additional development is needed.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbosacral IVDS was denied, but she received a separate 10% rating for left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy associated with IVDS effective from May 17, 2017.

The Board has remanded the claims for unspecified arthritis, bilateral hearing loss, and heart disability due to incomplete documentation of all qualifying periods of service.

The Veteran's low back disability was granted an initial rating of 10 percent from October 29, 2014 to January 3, 2018. Service connection for sleep apnea and left hip disability were denied. The case is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claim for another examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and to secure opinions addressing the combined effects of all service-connected disabilities on his occupational functioning. The AOJ must also obtain private treatment records and secure TDIU-related opinions from an appropriate clinician.

The Board has granted a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD and has remanded the claims of service connection for squamous cell carcinoma and lower back disorder.

The Veteran's left upper extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted service connection as secondary to their respective service-connected back disability.,From March 25, 2019, the Veteran's back disability has been granted an increased rating of 40 percent.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 20 percent, effective August 22, 2018. The TDIU claim for low back disability is granted.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disorder due to its resolution in favor of the Veteran. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted, and his bilateral hearing loss is denied. The right and left hip disorders are remanded for further examination. The ratings for the ankle disabilities are also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of lumbar spine disability is denied. The Veteran also has a pending remanded claim for increased rating and TDIU.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for ratings in excess of 10 percent for a lumbar spine disability, to include disc herniation and IVDS, right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and compensable ratings for right and left lower extremity meralgia paresthetica.