Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for TDIU benefits is being remanded due to the need for an opinion from the Director of Compensation Service regarding whether there is a reasonable possibility that he may be unemployable due to his service-connected back disability and associated radiculopathy.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating increases have been dismissed due to his request to withdraw the appeals.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent prior to June 21, 2023. The Board granted a TDIU due to the service-connected PTSD and SMC based on housebound status prior to that date.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with IVDS did not result in symptoms or comparable to unfavorable ankylosis, so a rating in excess of 40 percent is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and lack of medical evidence supporting the Veteran's assertions.

The Veteran's low back disability, left and right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathies are each granted an initial 40 percent rating.

Service connection is granted for a low back disorder, including degenerative disc disease and IVDS.,Service connection is also granted for left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative disc and facet disease with IVDS of the lumbar spine is denied. The medical evidence does not support an increase to this level.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing STRs and a lack of medical records from Vietnam. The issues include neck condition, back condition, and right leg/knee fracture.

The Board has remanded the claims for an increased rating for thoracolumbar spine disorder, a rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected neuropathy of the right upper and lower extremities, and entitlement to TDIU due to outstanding medical records and additional development being required.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings of various lower extremity radiculopathy conditions and a back disability has been dismissed due to the appellant's representative filing a request to withdraw the appeal.

The Veteran's low back disorder, diagnosed as degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine with spine hemangioma, is granted service connection.,The Veteran's left knee disorder, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, is granted service connection. The right knee disorder resulting in total knee replacement is also granted service connection.

The Board has denied service connection for right knee and left ankle disabilities due to lack of current diagnoses. Service connection for a spine disability is remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings in excess of 10 percent for cervical spine disability and coronary artery disease have been withdrawn.,These issues are therefore dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disability and a thoracolumbar spine disability. The right ankle sprain is considered presumptively incurred in service, while the thoracolumbar spine condition is presumed to have existed prior to service.,Both conditions are now recognized as being related to military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine is being remanded due to inadequate examination and lack of information about flare-ups.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals regarding service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as the rating issues for back, right knee, left knee, right thigh, and left thigh disabilities. As a result, these issues are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to obtain private treatment records and provide addendum opinions. The Veteran's claims for service connection are pending.