Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding treatment records and a VA medical opinion regarding his need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine with bilateral lumbar radiculopathy is granted. The issue of service connection for a bilateral foot disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine and right hip disabilities have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.,The earlier effective date claim for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, urinary incontinence, and headaches has been withdrawn.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to outstanding private treatment records and a need for updated information on the Veteran's work history since July 2007.

The Board has granted service connection for right foot, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disabilities. Service connection for sleep apnea was withdrawn by the appellant.

The Veteran withdrew the appeal of entitlement to service connection for a skin disorder.,Entitlement to service connection for neurofibromatosis, eye disorder, acquired mental disorder, breast cancer, edema, neck disorder, low back disorder, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right ankle disorder, and left ankle disorder is denied.

The Veteran's claim for earlier effective dates for cervical strain, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right upper extremity radiculopathy, lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and IVDS, left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve), and right lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve) was denied. The effective dates for these conditions were not earlier than January 30, 2013.,The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for cervical strain with degenerative arthritis and IVDS, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right upper extremity radiculopathy, lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and IVDS, left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve), and right lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve) was also denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted with an effective date of February 9, 2009. The Board found that the Veteran was unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities prior to February 29, 2012.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The appeals are now pending and will be reviewed again with new evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA treatment records and incomplete medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and a headache disability have been reopened, and the Board has granted these claims. The claim for an effective date prior to October 11, 2018 for lumbosacral strain with IVDS is also granted.,Service connection for tinnitus is established based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus and low back disability due to potential service connection based on exposure to herbicides, as well as a need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, to include paranoid schizophrenia, and a thoracolumbar spine condition are granted. The claim for service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to lack of recent VA examinations and outstanding records.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with lumbar spinal stenosis is now rated at a 60 percent disability rating, effective from November 23, 2021.,Prior to April 14, 2011, the Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis with degenerative joint disease of lumbosacral spine as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus with hallux valgus has been granted. The Board also remanded the issues regarding increased ratings for left and right ankle tendonitis.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate examination and failure to consider additional functional loss during flare-ups or with repeated use. The Veteran's low back disability may have ankylosis, which requires further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine have been granted. However, her claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right shoulder impingement syndrome and lumbar disc degeneration due to inadequate VA opinions. The Veteran must be provided with new VA opinions that consider his lay reports of continuous symptoms since service.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for bilateral varicose veins and has remanded the issue of service connection for lumbar spine condition.